Europe's Crops at Risk from Persistent Heat and Drought

Europe's crops are at risk due to persistent heat and drought, threatening global food supplies already strained by geopolitical tensions. The region has experienced multiple heat waves this summer, disrupting harvests and grain transport routes. As a result, farmers are delaying planting or reconsidering how much land to use for next year's crop.

James Mills, a farmer in Yorkshire, England, is holding off on planting winter forage for sheep until there is meaningful rain. Wheat planting starts in mid-September, but the dry land may require an inch or two of rain to make a difference.

Rapeseed, sown in late August and early September, is the first major crop likely to be affected by drought. Benoît Merlo, who farms north of Lyon in France, is waiting for significant rains before sowing rapeseed, which needs enough biomass to face winter and grow quickly in spring.

Many European top-growing areas are experiencing low rainfall, with Spain's Castile-León region receiving about two-thirds less rain than the long-term norm. If dry soil conditions persist, there could be delays in preparing land and crop development, leading to increased economic risks for farming operations.