Europe's Grain Harvest Cut by 16 Million Tons Due to Record Heat and Drought

A severe heatwave and drought across Europe have led to a significant reduction in grain production. According to UkrAgroConsult, this summer's record-breaking temperatures resulted in an estimated 16 million tons less grain produced compared to previous years.

The impact was felt across several countries, with France being the hardest hit, experiencing a decline of 5.8 million tons and losses estimated at €1.47 billion. Hungary, the UK, Germany, and Spain also suffered significant damage due to the extreme heat affecting wheat grain filling, corn pollination, and planted areas for some crops.

Winter crop yields in France were hit particularly hard, with some farms reporting losses of up to 25%. Sunflower yields in the country fell to an average of 0.7 tons per hectare compared to the usual 1.5-2 tons per hectare. EU soybean yields are down 15% this year, while potato and sugar beet yields have also been affected.

The combination of lower yields and higher production costs due to high diesel and fertilizer prices is putting pressure on the profitability of Europe's agricultural sector.