PARIS, Feb 13 (Reuters) - France's farm ministry on Tuesday reduced its estimates of winter grain sowing, with the soft wheat area seen at its second lowest in 30 years, after heavy rain disrupted field work in the European Union's biggest crop producer.

Difficult sowing conditions in France and other parts of western Europe have raised early doubts about this year's harvest, though large stocks in Europe and Russia have kept grain prices under pressure.

The area sown with winter soft wheat, France's main cereal crop, for the 2024 harvest was pegged at 4.36 million hectares, down from an initial forecast of 4.49 million in December and 7.7% below last year's area, the farm ministry said.

The revised estimate was the second lowest since 1994, after 2020, when planting was also slashed by torrential rain, it said in a crop report.

"Excess moisture will lead to some fields being dug up and some planting being postponed in favour of spring crops," the ministry said of winter grain sowing.

Production zones along France's Atlantic coast, particularly affected by persistent rain, were expected to see double-digit percentage declines in soft wheat sowing compared with last year, while key production belts in northern France would also see an area fall, the ministry said.

Some analysts see the soft wheat area falling more sharply to nearer 4.2 million hectares.

The ministry cut its winter barley area estimate to 1.27 million hectares from 1.31 million previously. That is now down 6.6% from 2023 but in line with the average of the past five years.

For winter rapeseed, France's main oilseed crop, the 2024 area was trimmed to 1.34 million hectares from 1.35 million expected in December, now 0.6% below last year's level but nearly 16% above the five-year average.

Wheat and rapeseed are almost exclusively winter crops in France whereas barley production includes a large amount of spring-sown crop.

For durum wheat, used in pasta, the planted area was pegged at 210,000 hectares, up from 205,000 hectares forecast in December but nearly 14% below the five-year average.

Analysts see scope for durum to regain some area as it can be planted up to the end of winter, though sowing is expected to remain around its lowest this century as the sector faces a longer-term decline.

(Reporting by Gus Trompiz Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Mark Potter)