"We are really worried. The average yields of maize will be 1.5 tonnes per hectare, down from the usual 4.5 tonnes. You can see the cobs, they are simply empty," said Krasimir Avramov, chairman of National Grain Producers Union.

As southern Europe sizzles, northern regions, including Europe's biggest grain producer France, has suffered one of the wettest summers in living memory.

Heavy rainfall in Britain has caused widespread flooding, hitting crops including some grains.

Weather fears sent Paris-traded wheat futures soaring.

The price for new crop wheat, the November contract, was up 5.50 euros, or 2.7 percent, at 209.50 euros a tonne on Thursday, its highest level since wheat futures were launched in 1998.

Prices have now risen 50 percent in the last three months.

BURNING CROPS

In Hungary, the farmers' union MOSZ said the hot, dry weather had "burnt" 40 percent of the country's maize crop and more damage is expected as little rain is forecast for the coming days.

The drought was jeopardised the supply of animal feed with livestock breeders also reporting slower animal growth, lower milk production and increased loss of animals due to the heat.

But as rain continues to sweep across France and disrupt the harvest, the country's arable crop office cuts its forecast.

"After a quite dry early spring, weather conditions at then end of the vegetative period, with heavy rainfall, have altered the production potential," it said.

ONIGC cut its estimate of France's 2007 wheat crop at less than 34 million tonnes from 35 million seen earlier this month.

The International Grains Council on Thursday cut its forecast for European Union wheat production to 126.7 million from a previous estimate of 129.6 million tonnes, but said this could be offset by higher output in China.

"Hot and dry weather in southeast Europe results in major reductions in the forecasts for Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania but China's crop estimate is increased after good rains," the IGC's monthly report said.

And in China, President Hu Jintao, in a rare remark on grain security, said his country would rely on itself to secure grain supplies for an increasingly wealthy population.

China has had bumper grains harvests for the last three years, but adverse weather this year means it may struggle to meet last year's levels. The grains harvest this summer, consisting mainly of wheat, rose 1.9 percent.