EU Joint Research Centre · Climate & nature

European Agriculture Hit Hard by Extreme Summer

A hot and dry summer in 2026 significantly impacted European agriculture, causing crop losses and reduced fodder.

Extreme heat and dryness accelerated crop development and aging, hindering growth. Limited water meant less time and fewer resources for crops. Maize matured up to three weeks early in some areas, leading to major losses and crop failures.

Winter crops were mostly unaffected, but summer crops suffered greatly during critical development stages.

Yields for EU summer crops are forecast below average: soybeans (-15%), fresh maize (-14%), grain maize (-8%), potatoes (-7%), and sugar beet (-11%). Production losses may exceed yield reductions.

Grasslands dried out, reducing grass growth and fodder availability. This, with lower green maize production, pressured livestock farmers.

Some farmers reduced herds due to feed shortages. The events highlight increasing climate change challenges for agriculture.

Strengthening resilience is key, with EU initiatives addressing water management and risk anticipation. Better crop monitoring can help detect risks earlier.

JRC's MARS Bulletin provides crop assessments and forecasts, supporting EU policies and food security goals.

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