EU Corn Harvest Expected to Plummet Amid Record Droughts

Central and Eastern Europe is facing severe droughts and heatwaves that are significantly impacting corn harvests. In Hungary, the expected corn harvest could be down by two-thirds compared to 2018-19, while Romania's crop may drop by more than half. Farmer Karoly Kovacs recalls when he used to reap 17 tons a hectare in 2010, but now receives almost no rainfall.

The European Union's corn harvest is forecast at 50.1 million metric tons this year, which would be a near two-decade low and about 20% below the average of the past three years. Analyst Gabriel Antonio projects an 8-9% increase in EU corn imports by 2026-27.

Corn acreage has plummeted in Hungary and Romania over recent years, with both countries struggling to cope with record heatwaves and droughts. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes that Central Europe faces particularly acute pressures from heat, soil moisture deficits, and water shortages.