Europe’s agricultural sector could lose $3.6 billion due to heat and drought — The National

European agriculture could suffer losses of $3.6 billion due to record drought and exceptionally high summer temperatures. The losses are linked to a 16 million-tonne reduction in cereal production, The National reports.

The biggest losses in France

France was hit hardest: its harvest fell by 5.8 million tonnes, estimated at €1.47 billion, or $1.65 billion. Hungary, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain were named next in terms of losses. The data were provided by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, citing a September forecast for the grain industry.

Tom Lancaster, an analyst at the organization, said that extreme heat and drought this summer cost Europe a production volume equivalent to the combined grain harvest of Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. According to him, climate change is reducing the continent’s production capacity and weakening food security.

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Impact on harvests and costs

Heat in July and August affected grain filling in wheat and pollination in maize, and also led to a reduction in the area planted with maize. French farmer Sébastien Neve said that his sunflower yield was 0.7 tonnes per hectare instead of the usual 1.5–2 tonnes, meaning it declined by about 60%.

According to an assessment by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, soybean yields fell by 15%, potato yields by 7%, and sugar beet yields by 11%. At the same time, farmers’ costs increased due to higher prices for diesel fuel and fertilizers. A preliminary assessment by the Brussels-based industry organization Cocereal put losses at €1.8 billion.

Scientists at World Weather Attribution concluded that the June heatwave would have been virtually impossible 50 years ago without the impact of climate change. Lancaster called on governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions faster and invest in soil health and regenerative farming practices.