Raw materials: the coronavirus pandemic boosts French common wheat

Text by: RFI Follow

Exports of French common wheat to third countries (countries outside the European Union) are breaking records. This has been noted by FranceAgriMer, the national establishment for agricultural and marine products. One of the reasons for this increase in demand is the crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic which is pushing certain countries to secure and increase their stocks. 

Publicity

French common wheat, used for the production of bread and cakes, is on the rise.

According to Franceagrimer , in April, French exports to third countries will be up by 500 thousand tonnes compared to last month. Sales in this context will thus reach 13 million 200 thousand tonnes in the year, a historic record. Growth mainly due to significant exports to China (1.14 million tonnes) and Morocco, affected by drought (1.6 million tonnes). Other traditional customers such as Algeria or West Africa are also in the ranks.

► Read also : French wheat recovers its markets in Africa and the Middle East

Another reason for this performance: the prices. French common wheat is more competitive than other wheats, especially compared to that produced in the Black Sea basin, the bread basket of the world. Thus Egypt buys 180,000 tonnes of French wheat, against 60,000 tonnes of Russian wheat, reported on Thursday the cabinet Inter-Courtage.

On the other hand, the coronavirus crisis is hurting French manufacturers of wheat-based flour because of the fall in demand from bakeries. Sales are down almost 30% from last year. In fact, bakeries buy less flour due in particular to the collapse in sales of sandwiches. The increase in domestic production of bread and cakes thanks to confinement, which represents only about 5% of the turnover of the French milling industry, is not enough to fill the coffers of the flour manufacturers. 

► Read also : Coronavirus, shortage of flour or economic paradox?

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• France
• Trade and Exchanges
• Agriculture and Fisheries

On the same subject

Chronicle of raw materials

French wheat recovers its markets in Africa and the Middle East