Corn production drops sharply

French corn production forecasts have been reduced several times, with the latest estimate at 7.3 million tons, according to Agreste, the statistics service of the Ministry of Agriculture. This is a notable decrease from earlier estimates of 9.1 million and 8 million tons.

Yields and area both fall

The drop in corn production is due to both lower yields and a smaller area planted with corn. Nationally, yields have fallen by 27%, and the total area planted with corn has decreased by 28%.

Historic low in corn yields

Corn yields are at 63.0 quintals per hectare, which is nearly 24 quintals per hectare below the 2025 level. This is the lowest yield since 1990, when it was 60.3 quintals per hectare.

Changes in land use

The area dedicated to corn grain has decreased by 305,000 hectares due to sowing decisions. Additionally, 150,000 hectares of land in poor condition after summer were redirected to silage production.

Forage corn faces yield issues

Despite an increase in forage corn areas, production is expected to decline by 29% compared to 2025 due to lower yields, which have been revised to less than 87 quintals per hectare.

Other crops also see declines

Soft wheat production has been slightly revised downward to 31.5 million tons, down from 31.7 million tons last month. Production of grain sorghum, barley, soybeans, and triticale is also decreasing.

Sunflower and beet yields hit lows

Sunflower yields are at their lowest since at least 1980. Beet production is revised downward to 25.3 million tons due to lower-than-expected yields, while potato yields may perform slightly better than anticipated, with upward revisions due to late rains.