France’s 2026 soft wheat harvest shows protein levels above historical averages, according to data released Wednesday by the farm office FranceAgriMer and crop institute Arvalis.
Nearly 89% of soft wheat samples tested contained protein levels of 11% or higher, down slightly from 90% the prior week but exceeding the five-year average of 80%. The survey, covering 72% of planned samples, also found that 61% of the crop met the stricter 11.5% protein threshold used by certain buyers, an increase from 59% in initial results and above the five-year average of 51%.
Test weight measurements, an indicator of flour extraction potential, showed 96% of the new crop at or above the market standard of 76 kilograms per hectolitre. This aligns with the previous week’s figure and surpasses the five-year average of 61%. Hagberg falling numbers, which assess milling quality, reached 100% compliance with the industry requirement of 250 seconds or above, matching last week’s result and exceeding the five-year average of 85%.
FranceAgriMer and Arvalis plan to release updated findings in the coming weeks as additional samples are analyzed.
