Europe's grains hit by extreme heat, with losses at around Rs 34,000 crores

Europe’s record heat and prolonged drought this summer has caused far greater damage to grain farmers than initially feared.

As a direct result of the sweltering climate, wheat, maize and barley production is estimated to have fallen by 16.7 million tonnes between June and September, according to a new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

The estimated loss is worth about €3.2 billion, which is around Rs 34,700 crore, at current prices. French firefighters work to extinguish a fire near a farm in France. (Photo: Reuters)

The September estimate is about 8 million tonnes higher than the loss projected in July, highlighting how the impact of the extreme weather worsened as the summer progressed.

France has suffered the largest decline, with an estimated 5.8 million tonnes of grain production lost, worth around Rs 15,900 crore.

Hungary followed with a loss of 3.1 million tonnes, valued at about Rs 7,800 crore.

The UK is estimated to have lost 3 million tonnes worth around Rs 5,700 crore, while Germany lost 2.5 million tonnes worth about Rs 4,300 crore. Spain's estimated loss stands at 1.2 million tonnes, valued at around Rs 2,400 crore. A sheep grazes beside a pond in a marsh reduced by drought in Portiragnes, southern France. (Photo: AFP)

The figures come after an exceptionally hot and dry summer across western and central Europe.

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre said prolonged heat accelerated crop development, leaving plants less time to develop grains, tubers and maize cobs. In badly affected areas, maize matured up to three weeks earlier than usual.

ECIU agriculture analyst Tom Lancaster said the scale of the loss was equivalent to the combined grain production of Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.HEAT HITS GRAIN AND MORE

The damage, however, extended beyond wheat, maize and barley. View of burning haystacks in a field at a farm during a Europe-wide heatwave. (Photo: Reuters)

ECIU estimated that soybean production has fallen by 15%, potatoes by 7% and sugar beet by 11%.

Poor grass growth has also put pressure on livestock farmers by reducing available feed.

A French farmer, Sebastien Neveu, who farms 300 hectares, said winter-sown crops suffered a 25% yield reduction, while sunflower yields fell to 0.7 tonnes per hectare from a normal 1.5-2 tonnes, marking a loss of about 60%.

The JRC has similarly reported declining grass and fodder availability, adding pressure on livestock farming. A drought-stricken corn field is seen in Hungary. (Photo: Reuters)

ECIU said Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average and warned that repeated heat and drought could increase agricultural losses unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

It also called for greater investment in soil health and regenerative farming practices to make farms more resilient.- Ends