Europe's Drought-Hit Crops Spark Food Price Fears

Farmers across Europe are bracing for another slump in food production and rising prices due to extreme heat, drought, and wildfires.

Olive groves have been severely impacted, with growers expecting a surge in olive oil prices as the climate crisis drives temperatures to fresh record highs. The cost of olive oil has already reached elevated levels, but experts warn that it will rise again this year.

The European Union has cut harvest predictions for a range of crops, including sunflowers, maize, and potatoes, with some countries seeing more severe effects than others. Spain's cereal crop is expected to fall by nearly 23% from last year's levels, while Romania has been relatively spared due to increased rainfall.

The UK has also felt the impact of droughts, with wholesalers turning to other countries for mainstay items like iceberg lettuce and broccoli. British farmers have warned of potential shortages, while Italy's wheat crop is proving resilient, with a 10% increase in output forecasted.