European Grain Harvest Cut by 16.7 Million Tonnes Due to Heatwave and Drought

A severe heatwave and drought in Europe have led to significant losses for farmers. According to an analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, the continent's projected grain harvest has been reduced by 16.7 million tonnes.

This represents a loss of €3.2 billion, with France being the worst-affected country, losing an estimated 5.8 million tonnes valued at €1.47 billion. Other countries affected include Hungary, the UK, Germany, and Spain.

The extreme weather conditions damaged grain filling in wheat and disrupted maize pollination, resulting in lower yields for these crops. Climate change is exacerbating the problem, with scientists attributing the June heatwave to human activities that contribute to global warming.