Heatwaves and Drought Severely Hit Europe’s Summer Crop Yields and Pastures

Intense heat and drought threaten European summer crops and pasturelands this year. The European Commission’s Joint Research Center released August’s MARS Bulletin detailing crop conditions.

Persistent high pressure since July suppressed clouds and rainfall, causing prolonged hot weather.

Heat waves outpaced rainfall, intensifying drought in the first half of August across Europe. Western and Southwestern Europe experienced daily temperatures exceeding seasonal norms by four degrees Celsius.

Soybean, silage corn, and grain corn yields projected below five-year averages in Europe. Reduced heat and rainfall lowered potato, beet, and sunflower yields, raising livestock feed concerns.