Maize crop conditions in France, the European Union’s biggest grain producer, registered a third consecutive weekly decline in the week to August 18, as a heatwave gripped most of the country.
It's estimated that 62 per cent of the maize crop was in good or excellent condition by Monday, down from 65 per cent a week earlier.
The latest score was also below the 76 per cent at the same time last year and the lowest for the week since 2022, another year marked by a very hot, dry summer.
After maize field conditions stabilized in late July after the return of rain, crops have endured more hot and dry weather this month, with temperatures rising to about 40 degrees Celsius across the south for several days last week.
