By Gus Trompiz and Michael HoganPARIS/HAMBURG, May 13 (Reuters) – Rain this month has brought relief to grain crops in Western and Central Europe after a very dry start to spring, reducing the risk of widespread yield losses ahead of this summer’s harvest.A parched April in countries including France, Germany and Poland had heightened concern in a wheat market already grappling with severe drought in the U.S. Plains and the risk of an El Nino cycle hurting Australian crops.AdvertisementAdvertisementShowers in early May have improved the outlook, though analysts warn regular rain will be needed to sustain soil moisture during the peak growth period.”It’s very good news, it’s exactly what we needed,” Guillaume Lefort, a crop farmer southeast of Paris, said of the return of rain in France.One of France’s driest and warmest Aprils on record had rapidly dried out fields, particularly in areas with shallow soils. Crop ratings from farm office FranceAgriMer have declined steadily since last month, though they remain above last year’s levels.”The situation hasn’t become alarming thanks to the rain in early May,” FranceAgriMer’s Abir Mahajba said, adding that conditions vary between regions.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn Germany, showers this month have boosted field conditions.”We have seen very welcome rain especially in the east, which arrived just in time, and wheat and rapeseed look like recovering well,” one German grains analyst said.”I am no longer concerned about dryness damage in the short term.”Rain has also reached Poland, though some rapeseed has been lo …
