French Heatwave Threatens Wheat and Maize Crops

A record heatwave in France could damage maize crops in the middle of their growing season and reduce wheat yields just before harvesting, analysts warned.

France, the European Union’s largest grain producer, is seeing temperatures of around 40C, with up to 43C expected this week in parts of western France, according to Meteo France.

The main concern is maize. If the forecasts are confirmed and no significant rain arrives within 10 days, French maize production could fall below 10 million metric tons for the first time since 1990, compared with 13.2 million in 2025.

Wheat is also at risk. Analysts said France’s yield could fall below 7.0 metric tons per hectare, down from 7.4 in 2025, leaving production at least 1 million metric tons below last year’s crop of 33.4 million.

Later-developing wheat areas in northern France face the greatest risk because high temperatures can halt grain filling and reduce kernel weight. The heatwave is expected to shift east later this week, raising risks for wheat in Germany, Poland and the Baltic region.

(Reuters, mja)