Wheat production, France

Estimated annual world wheat starch production was 2.11 million tons in 1993 and increased to 2.36 million tons in 1996.28 Because of significant expansion in manufacturing capacity in several countries, wheat starch production rose to 4.67 million tons in 2007 (Table 10.2).42 However, this production figure for wheat starch represents only a small fraction of the total world starch production of 60 million tons 41 By raw materials, wheat represents only 8% of world starch production, while potato, cassava and other crops contribute 4%, 14% and 1%, respectively com dominates at 73%. Approximately 52% of world starch is produced in the USA, 17% in the EU and 31% in other places 43 Wheat starch (<0.5% protein) is commercially produced in about 59 manufacturing plants in some 30 countries. The top 10 producers are France, the United States, Germany, The Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Japan and China. 

Baresel, J. P. and H.-J. Reents (2006) Observations on long-term wheat variety trials under organic and conventional conditions in Germany.- In Ostergard H and L. Fontaine (eds) (2006) Proceedings of the COST SUSVAR workshop on cereal crop diversity Implications for production and products.- ITAB Press, Paris, France. Pp 83-87. 

Even a substance as inoffensive as wheat, a food product Penes, France, 1997), can cause risks. Wheat fermentation in the marine environment, in an anoxic environment, results in the release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a highly toxic gas which makes it necessary for intervening personnel to wear protective masks on the site. 

Impact on the environment necessitates a monitoring of the quality of the environment and a study of the eventual effects on the flora and fauna, as in the long-term monitoring of a toxic substance spill Cason, Spain Perintis, France). This is equally necessary for substances considered nonpollutants, such as vegetable oils Kimya, Great Britain). Indirect effects on the environment must also be considered as in the remobilization of toxic metals absorbed in sediments because of a decrease in pH caused by an acid spill Bahamas, Brazil) or the production of hydrogen sulfide as a consequence of wheat fermentation by sulfate-reducing bacteria Penes, France). 

Grain maize grows well in many southern countries in Europe, especially in France and Italy. Yields are very high averaging between 8 and 9t/ha of grain. With this yield, grain maize is the third most importatrt cereal in the EU after wheat and barley. Most of the maize crop is used for animal feed with a smaller amount milled for industrial use (starch) and for human consumption. There is an increasing market for maize for production of bioethanol. For crop husbandry see Chapter 18. 

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