Europe's Food Prices Set for Sharp Rise as Drought Persists

Europe is bracing for higher food prices as severe droughts persist in western and central regions, according to economists. Repeated heat waves have drained soil moisture, reducing harvests of maize, wheat, vegetables, fruit, and livestock.

The European Union's Joint Research Center has lowered its yield forecasts for spring and summer crops, with grain maize expected to drop by 6% to 7%. Winter crop projections are also down 1% to 4%, resulting in total cereal yields 1% below the five-year average.

Some countries are feeling the effects more than others. France expects its maize harvest to plummet by 35% from 2025, while Italy's farmland is experiencing mild to severe drought conditions. In Spain, cereal harvests have dropped by 24% in Andalusia compared to last year.

Livestock products are under related but different pressures due to smaller harvests of key feed crops like maize, barley, and wheat. Farmers face two problems: reduced milk yields from heat stress and more expensive animal feed.