A severe drought and accompanying heatwaves are withering crops across Europe, leading to significant harvest reductions and straining food supplies. Farmers from the Netherlands to Bosnia are reporting dramatically diminished yields of staple crops, with some fearing for the future of their livelihoods.
In the Netherlands, a country known for its fertile land, farmers are struggling with parched soil and water restrictions. Maarten Janse, a farmer in Zeeland Province, is using methods like no-till farming and adding organic matter to his soil to combat the effects of extreme weather, exacerbated by human-caused global warming and a strong El Niño. Despite these efforts, his crops, including samphire which normally thrives in salty conditions, are suffering due to the lack of fresh water.
Hendrik Jan ten Cate, another farmer in Zeeland, faces a drastically reduced potato harvest, with plants maturing a month early and the tubers likely too small for French fry production. "People want long fries," he said. "That's going to be tough this year." Even with access to irrigation, he estimates his harvest will be down by about one-third. He attributes the poor yield not only to drought but also to the combination of sun, dry air, and hot days.
In Bosnia, where agriculture is a significant contributor to GDP and employment, grain farmer Slavisa Lukic expects a drastically poor corn yield, estimating it at around 1.5 to 2 tons per hectare, down from a previous yield of 6 to 7 tons per hectare. He noted that clover fields, once abundant, have now all but disappeared.
The impact extends to the Czech Republic's famous beer industry. Plzeňský Prazdroj, the country's largest beer producer, anticipates losses due to stunted hops yields. Jakub Zaoral, the brewer's sustainability manager, cited changing rainfall patterns—long dry spells followed by intense storms that cause rain to run off dry soil—as a cause for inconsistent yields and declining groundwater levels. He warned that repeated poor harvests could pose an existential threat to hop growers.
While some resilient crops like sunflowers have fared better in Romania, the drought has caused record-low water levels on the Danube River. This has disrupted grain transport, leading to congested terminals and a backlog of crops awaiting shipment. Farmers are reportedly in panic mode as they struggle to find storage for their harvested sunflower seeds and corn.
In Hungary, cattle ranchers are facing the challenge of feeding their livestock. Sándor Molnár, a dairy farmer, has had to purchase expensive feed since late May due to the lack of rain on his farm. He expressed hope for a better next year, a sentiment he has held for several years.
In eastern England, Elveden Estate, a large farming operation, is experiencing its reservoir levels drop dramatically. Despite significant investment in water storage, the farm has only about six weeks of watering left if the dry weather persists. Managing director Andrew Blenkiron expressed concern about having enough water to complete the growing season.
An analysis by Dutch bank Triodos suggests that heatwaves and drought could reduce the European Union's gross domestic product by 1% in 2026, translating to approximately 180 billion euros ($208 billion). Farmers are identified as among the hardest hit by these extreme weather conditions.