UPDATE 1 — French maize conditions hit another low as harvest accelerates

(Recasts and adds detail) Sept 18 (Reuters) — French maize crop conditions worsened last week to hit another record low, data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed on Friday, as hot, dry weather persisted in the European Union's biggest grain producer. By September 14, 23% of grain maize crops were in good or excellent condition, down from 26% a week earlier. That was the lowest score in the office's records, which date back to 2011. The rating compares with 62% a year earlier. Maize (corn) has suffered from exceptional heat and drought in France during this summer's peak growing season. France's agriculture ministry this week forecast grain maize production would plunge by 42% from last year to its lowest since the 1970s. In another hot spell last week, temperatures peaked at about 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some southern areas. Maize harvesting accelerated to remain well ahead of its usual pace. By Monday, 27% of the crop had been cut, against a five-year average of 5% for the same week, FranceAgriMer said. (Reporting by Ronan Corcoran, Jakob Van Calster and Gus Trompiz Editing by David Goodman ) ((mailto:Ronan.Corcoran@thomsonreuters.com;)