Europe's Agricultural Sector Hit Hard by Heat Waves and Fires

A severe heat wave and devastating forest fires have ravaged Europe's agricultural sector, threatening to drive up food prices in the coming autumn. According to Sarah Vachon, founder of Citizens of Soil, if the weather doesn't improve, prices are likely to rise due to a significant decrease in raw materials for olive oil production.

The producers of vegetables, grains, and grapes have been particularly affected by the adverse conditions, resulting in massive losses estimated at tens of millions of Euros. In some regions, the volume of lettuce, carrot, garlic, and onions has decreased by nearly half.

The European Commission has revised its crop forecasts downward: sunflower harvest is expected to decrease by 7 percent, grain corn by 6 percent, potatoes and soybeans by about 3 percent. Spain, the world's largest producer of olive oil, may see a grain harvest decline from 24 million tonnes to 18.5 million tonnes in the 2026-2027 season.

In France, hot weather has accelerated grape ripening, with Champagne's harvest possibly starting as early as August 15th, one of the earliest dates on record. Meanwhile, the region's harvest volume is projected to be 10 percent lower than last year.