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Drought and heat cut crop yields while raising prices in Europe
Farmers in the UK and France say water shortages have become the top risk, with one Norfolk onion crop down 35% year over year and some farms facing viability threats.
The Guardian Business reports that drought and extreme heat are damaging crops across parts of Europe, reducing yields and contributing to higher food prices.
In Norfolk, farmer Tim Young says his onion crop is 35% down in yield compared with last year because of heat and drought, adding that the lack of water has become the number one risk to his business. Young’s family has tracked rainfall on their farm since 1976, and the data shows the last six years have brought two thirds of the rain compared with earlier years.
The outlet reports that this year’s record-breaking climate induced heatwaves have been paired with drought and wildfires, making farming difficult in countries including France and the UK. In France, organic farmer Uyen Do says her vines are dying and the grass has turned yellow, and she described conditions as already very hard to survive economically.
The Guardian Business also notes that UK authorities have declared drought conditions across parts of England, and that July is expected to be the driest on record following winter floods. Young said the Environment Agency paused his licence to take water from a nearby river last year due to low river flows, and the article cites his frustration at how little rain fell in July, including just 0.2mm.