This monitoring period focuses primarily on the mixed cropping areas in northern and western France, which serve as the core production regions for winter cereals in the country. Winter cereals in France are currently at the overwintering to early green-up stage. Given that the canopy structure and spectral characteristics of winter wheat and winter barley are highly similar during this period, remote sensing technology cannot effectively distinguish between the two; therefore, this report combines them as cereal crops for an overall assessment. Preliminary CropWatch monitoring shows that the estimated planted area of cereal crops in France in 2026 has increased steadily, up 0.95% from 2025, laying a sound foundation for this year’s cereal production.

In terms of national agro-meteorological and crop conditions, France presented an overall mild and slightly dry climate during the monitoring period. National cumulative precipitation reached 222 mm, 11% below the 15-year average, yet sufficient to meet crop growth demands. The average temperature was slightly 0.2°C higher, and PAR was 1% above average. The mild climate and favorable light conditions led to a 4% increase in national potential biomass relative to the historical average. In addition, the national cropping intensity stood at 97%, equal to the 5-year average, indicating that most arable land had been fully utilized. The national VCIx was 0.87, and the CroPI-11 was 1.0, reflecting that the overall growth of winter cereals was at a normal to favorable level.

Although the national situation was stable, regional differences in climatic conditions existed within the main production areas. As a core production region, the northern barley zone experienced a noticeable precipitation deficit during early winter, but favorable soil moisture at sowing offset the negative impacts of insufficient rainfall, and crop growth potential in this area remained basically at the historical average. In contrast, the precipitation decline was smaller in the northwest maize-barley rotation area and the western mixed cropping area, with more advantageous light and heat conditions; the overwintering performance and growth potential of cereal crops there were generally better than those in the northern region. Overall, the current production situation of French cereal crops is stable, with most crops having successfully overwintered. As monitoring is still at an early stage, precipitation replenishment during the critical spring growth period is crucial for alleviating potential soil water stress in the northern main production areas and securing final yield per unit area and total output.