France: Only 22% of planned spring barley area sowed as of February 17

By February 17, French farmers sowed only 22% of the planned area with spring barley, which is less than the same date last year (25%) and the average for the last five years (32%), state agency FranceAgriMer reported.

The condition of winter barley crops is worse than last year. Currently, 69% of winter barley crops are in good and very good condition (71% a year earlier). The development of crops is slower than last year and on average over the last five years.