European farmers are facing an unprecedented crisis due to successive heatwaves and severe drought conditions, significantly impacting crop yields across the continent. Vegetable and grain producers are particularly alarmed, with many warning of catastrophic harvests.

In France, vegetable production has plummeted, with growers reporting shortfalls of 25% for courgettes, 35% for lettuces, 40% for peas, and up to 100% for artichokes. The French vegetable producers’ association, Prince de Bretagne, has called for urgent action to address the dramatic decline in both yield and quality of crops, describing the situation as a historic crisis.

The extreme weather, exacerbated by human-induced climate change and a significant El Niño event, has resulted in temperatures frequently exceeding 30°C, with some areas reaching 35°C. This has hindered plant development and led to almost no rainfall, further stressing crops.

Cereal production has also suffered, with France’s agriculture ministry estimating a 35% decrease in maize harvests compared to 2025 levels, bringing the total down to approximately 9 million tonnes—the lowest since 1980. This decline is partly attributed to farmers switching to other crops, such as sunflowers, but is primarily a result of the harsh heatwaves affecting critical growth stages.

The impact on livestock farming is equally concerning. Dairy farmers have reported a 10% to 15% drop in milk yields due to heat stress on cows, with many now worried about securing adequate winter feed. Additionally, egg production has been severely affected, with daily output down by about 1 million eggs due to high mortality rates in poultry houses during the June heatwave.

Italy is experiencing severe drought, with approximately 60% of farmland affected. The country’s largest farmers’ organization, Coldiretti, reports significant declines in crop yields for corn, rice, and soybeans, alongside a 20% reduction in milk production. The overall cost to the agricultural sector, including damages from wildfires and storms, is estimated to exceed €3 billion.

The drought is particularly acute in the Po Valley, which is crucial for Italian agriculture and accounts for about 80% of the country’s rice production. Farmers have resorted to irrigating crops only on alternate weeks to cope with the water scarcity.

In Spain, cereal harvests are down by 35% in Castilla y León and 49% in the Madrid region. The national wine federation has predicted a 20% decrease in wine production for 2026, attributing this to smaller grape sizes resulting from the lack of moisture.

In response to the crisis, governments across Europe are implementing aid packages to support affected farmers. The French Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has announced €145 million in immediate aid, along with plans for structural support and investment measures in the upcoming budget.

The ongoing challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events highlight the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices and resilience strategies to safeguard food production in Europe. For further details on the situation, visit The Guardian.