Europe’s heatwave in June cost grain farmers €2bn in lost revenue and crop damage

Lead

A heatwave that swept across Europe in late June is estimated to have cost the continent’s grain farmers more than €2 billion in lost revenue and destroyed 9 million tonnes of crops, according to reports from Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, RFI, and TASS. The estimates come from Coceral, the European cereals and oilseeds trade association, which has linked the losses to the hottest June on record in western Europe.

Coverage Comparison

The four outlets broadly agree on the headline figures: the heatwave reduced the value of the European grain harvest by more than €2 billion, and Coceral lowered its production forecast for the European Union and the UK by nearly 9 million metric tons. Deutsche Welle and The Guardian both report the €2 billion figure, while TASS cites the Financial Times as reporting losses of approximately €2.1 billion, based on national prices for wheat, barley, corn, and other grains.

All four outlets identify France and Hungary as the countries suffering the greatest losses, though the specific figures vary slightly. TASS reports that France’s production forecast was reduced by 4.1 million metric tons, valued at about €891 million, and Hungary’s by 2.4 million metric tons, valued at about €444 million. The Guardian reports that France lost an estimated 3.4 million tonnes of maize, with the cost of lost grains expected to reach €891 million, and Hungary losing 2.4 million tonnes and Spain 1.4 million tonnes. Deutsche Welle similarly notes that France and Hungary suffered the greatest losses.

The outlets differ in their emphasis. Deutsche Welle focuses on the impact on German farmers, quoting an agriculture expert who says corn has been particularly hard hit. The Guardian highlights the economic and food security implications, quoting an analyst from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) who warns the losses will "hit farmers in the pockets" and "undermine European food security." RFI focuses on France’s wheat harvest, citing the French agriculture ministry’s first estimates. TASS presents the data neutrally, citing Coceral figures via the Financial Times.

Key Claims

• The heatwave in late June is estimated to have reduced the value of the European grain harvest by more than €2 billion, as reported by Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, and TASS.
• Coceral lowered its grain production forecast for the EU and UK by nearly 9 million metric tons, a decline of about 3%, according to Deutsche Welle and TASS. The Guardian reports the same reduction as 9 million tonnes.
• Corn was particularly hard hit, as the extreme heat coincided with the flowering period, leading to crop failure in some areas, as reported by Deutsche Welle and The Guardian.
• France’s wheat harvest is expected to fall by 4% compared to 2025, according to RFI, citing the French agriculture ministry’s first estimates.
• France is expected to suffer reductions in grain production, with an estimated 3.4 million tonnes of maize lost, according to The Guardian.
• British farmers are reporting dry conditions across much of the UK following the June heatwave and a dry spring, as reported by The Guardian.

Perspectives

Coceral (European grain traders’ association): The trade association estimates the heatwave reduced the value of the European grain harvest by more than €2 billion and cut production forecasts by nearly 9 million metric tons, with France and Hungary suffering the greatest losses.

Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU): The London-based think tank estimates the value of lost grain production at about €2 billion, and its analyst Tom Lancaster warns that the losses will reduce farmers’ income and undermine European food security.

French agriculture ministry (Agreste): The ministry’s first estimates indicate France’s wheat harvest will fall by 4% compared to 2025, due to deteriorating growing conditions caused by successive heatwaves.

German agriculture expert Horst Gömann: The North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture expert says the heatwave hit crops during a vulnerable stage of development, with corn particularly affected, and expects wheat losses of about 10% in Germany.