European farmers have warned of crop losses due to heat and drought
European farmers are reporting a sharp decline in vegetable and grain yields following a series of heat waves and droughts that have swept across much of the continent. The most severe problems have been reported, in particular, in France, Italy, and Spain, according to The Guardian World.
In France, producers estimate a 25% drop in zucchini production, a 35% drop in lettuce, a 40% drop in peas, and a 60% drop in broccoli. Artichoke production, according to their data, has fallen by 50–100%. The Prince de Bretagne association, which includes more than 1,300 vegetable growers in Brittany, has called for urgent action due to falling yields and deteriorating product quality.
The French Ministry of Agriculture forecasts that the corn harvest in 2026 will total about 9 million metric tons—35% less than in 2025. This is partly attributed to farmers switching to other crops, particularly sunflowers; however, the harvest was also affected by high temperatures during critical periods of plant development.
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The heat also affected livestock farming. Producers in France reported a 10–15% decline in milk production. According to data from the Agreste statistical service, hay production for winter livestock feed was approximately 30% below the 1989–2018 average. Egg production in the country, according to the National Council for the Promotion of Eggs, was about 1 million eggs per day below the usual level due to high poultry mortality during the June heatwave.
In Italy, moderate to severe drought affected about 60% of agricultural land, according to the farmers’ organization Coldiretti. Corn, rice, and soybean crops, as well as fruits and vegetables, were affected; milk production fell by 20%. Coldiretti estimates the sector’s total losses, including damage from wildfires and severe storms, at over 3 billion euros.
In Spain, grain harvests in Castile and León fell by 35% compared to the previous year, in the Madrid region by 49%, and in Andalusia by 24%. The National Wine Federation of Spain forecasts a 20% drop in wine production by 2026. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has pledged 145 million euros in immediate aid to farmers, as well as structural support and investment measures in the 2027 budget.
