How this summer’s heat and drought impacted crops in Europe – in six charts
Extreme summer heat, drought, and wildfires across Europe have significantly damaged crop yields, leading to reduced production of cereals, maize, and olives. These climate-driven agricultural challenges, combined with high energy costs, are contributing to rising global food prices.
Why it matters
The decline in European agricultural output threatens food security and exacerbates inflationary pressures on global food markets.
Share Farmers around Europe are dealing with the aftermath of a summer of extreme heat , drought and wildfires that were exacerbated by climate change.
Human-caused climate change is increasing the severity and likelihood of many extreme weather events around the world, which is increasing volatility for food producers.
This summer resulted in, for example, shrunken potatoes in the Netherlands, reduced carrot harvests in France, dried-up rice fields in Italy and scorched olive groves in parts of the Mediterranean region.
Global food prices are currently at their highest level since early 2023 due to “heatwaves and energy price dynamics”, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization .
Other factors such as blocked fertiliser supplies in the Strait of Hormuz and high fuel costs have also played a role in this year’s agricultural outputs.
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