France’s grain corn sector is facing a steep decline in sown area this spring, raising alarm across the industry. The drop, estimated at 10% to 15% compared to last year, has been described as deeply concerning by producer organizations. Experts warn that this trend could threaten both animal feed supplies and farmers’ livelihoods.
Sharp decline in corn area
A strong decline in the area sown with grain corn in France this spring, estimated to be at least 10% to 15% lower than last year, is very worrying. It reveals a serious malaise in the sector’, the umbrella organisation of French corn growers Maiz’Europ says.
Production capacity at risk
According to first estimates from the statistical office of the Department of Agriculture, Agreste, the area of grain corn this season amounts to 1.33 million hectares. In the previous 2 years, that area was well over 1.5 million hectares with an annual production of around 14 million tonnes, a large part of which is used in the animal feed industry.
Without serious intervention, the future of France’s maize sector is in danger.
Economic concerns drive decisions
“The contraction of the area leads to a worrying loss of production capacity. The circumstances for growing this crop are generally good. The climate is favourable for corn and the water reservoirs are at an acceptable level. Paradoxically, many farmers seem to have decided not to grow this crop for economic reasons’, Maiz’Europ declares.
Farmers switch to wheat
The primary reason, according to the organization, is the increasingly difficult financial situation faced by corn farmers in recent years. This has influenced many to switch to the more lucrative wheat. This has resulted in an increase of about 300,000 hectares in wheat cultivation compared to the previous season.
Call for urgent intervention
Maiz’Europ says rapid and concrete actions are needed to save a sector in decline. “The whole chain, from growers to processors, will be structurally fractured after 3 years of negative results, and soon a fourth year. Without a serious intervention, the future of the maize sector in our country is in danger,’’ President Franck Laborde states. He warns the authorities “that our members will return to the street if they don’t receive the help they need and deserve.’’
