Germany drought could cut grain harvest by 3m tonnes

Germany's grain harvest shortfall could reach three million tonnes because of drought and extreme summer heat, with losses of about 600 million euros, the German Raiffeisen Association of agricultural co-operatives estimated.

The German Farmers' Association warned Friday that persistent drought and summer heat would reduce harvests and could cause total crop failures in the worst-hit regions.

Joachim Rukwied, head of the farmers' association, told AFP that lower grassland yields had also reduced winter fodder reserves for livestock. He said southwestern Germany had been especially affected by high temperatures and low rainfall.

In some southern regions where no rain has fallen for weeks, Rukwied said yield losses or total crop losses were very likely. He said wheat and rapeseed were particularly badly affected and warned of significant losses for autumn crops including potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, maize and soybeans.

The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported this week that Western Europe had its hottest June-July on record, as climate change fuels a summer of heat, drought and wildfires.

Rukwied urged the German government to support farmers financially, including by reducing tax on agricultural diesel.

He said conditions were somewhat better in northern Germany, where there had been some rainfall in recent weeks, but added that the long-term trend there still suggested below-average harvests.