PARIS, June 3 Reuters The condition of France39;s soft wheat crop has declined for a fifth consecutive week, data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed on Friday, as dryness persisted in the European Union39;s biggest grain producer.

An estimated 67 of the soft wheat crop was in good or excellent condition in the week to May 30, down from 69 the previous week, FranceAgriMer said in a cereal report.

The rating fell by more than 20 percentage points in May as a hot spell exacerbated drought after low rainfall since the start of the year.

However, the decline in conditions last week was smaller than in the three preceding weeks, suggesting showers and cooler temperatures gave some respite to crops.

The latest soft wheat rating compared with a yearearlier score of 80, FranceAgriMer said.

Harvest prospects in France are being watched closely amid disruption to Ukrainian supplies following Russia39;s invasion.

Traders and analysts say drought has damaged French crops in areas with shallow soil but that conditions are much more promising in areas with deep soil that have had some rainfall. 

Regional data in FranceAgriMer39;s cereal report confirmed local contrasts. In the CentreVal de Loire region south of Paris, just 43 of the soft wheat crop was rated goodexcellent, while in the HautsdeFrance, another key production zone in the far north, the score was 71.

Unsettled weather with showers forecast for the end of this week could help crops, according to traders.

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