French Corn Harvest on Pace for Decades-Low Output

France's corn harvest is expected to be its smallest in decades due to heatwaves and drought. The government has revised its forecast, predicting a 35% drop to 9 million tonnes for 2026, a level last seen in 1980.

The Agriculture Ministry's statistics department took into account the impact of extreme weather on crop growth, estimating yields at 70.3 quintals per hectare, down 19% from the previous year.

Farmers have reduced corn production areas in favor of other crops like sunflowers or leaving land fallow due to rising costs. The war in the Middle East has led to soaring fertilizer prices, but global corn prices remain relatively stable due to abundant production.