Germany: Farmers Expect Poor Harvest as Heat and Drought Persist

German farmers are expecting below-average harvests this year due to persistent heat and drought, with some crops in southern regions suffering total losses, according to the head of the country’s farmers’ union.

Joachim Rukwied, president of the German Farmers’ Association, told the RND media group in statements published on Friday: “We expect below-average yields for cereals, especially wheat, as well as rapeseed.”

Northern regions have fared somewhat better thanks to occasional rainfall, but yields there are also expected to remain below average. Meanwhile, drought is reducing animal feed supplies, particularly in southern Germany, forcing some farmers to cull livestock earlier than planned.

Rukwied said farmers are under severe financial pressure, as high costs for fertilizers and other inputs coincide with falling agricultural product prices. He added that some farmers are already struggling to pay their bills and are seeking loans to cover short-term cash needs.

He called for government support, including increased European Union funding for fertilizer aid, earlier disbursement of EU agricultural subsidies, and a temporary reduction in diesel taxes. He also urged the government to establish a tax-exempt reserve fund that would allow farmers to build financial buffers for difficult years.

Rukwied noted that German farmers have been adapting to climate change for years, but they need heat-resistant and more resilient crop varieties more quickly.