French farmers bracing for smallest corn crop since 1980

PARIS - France’s corn harvest is on pace this year for a 35 per cent fall to 9 million tonnes, a level last seen in 1980 for Europe’s biggest grains producer, the government said on Aug 7.The AGPM producers’ association had previously forecast a harvest of 9.5 million, down 30 per cent from a year ago, owing to a reduction in areas under cultivation.But new forecasts from the agriculture ministry’s statistics department take into account heatwaves that hit the crop in critical stages of its growth cycle.Yields are estimated to fall to 70.3 quintals per hectare, down 19 per cent on the year, under the combined effects of heatwaves and drought.But farmers have also reduced corn production areas in favour crops like sunflowers, or have chosen to leave land fallow amid rising costs.The Agricul