Decrease in Agricultural Production in Germany Due to Drought

Agricultural production, including grains, fruits, and vegetables in several European countries, has decreased due to a heatwave and drought. According to a report by the French news agency, the German National Farmers' Union reported on Wednesday, August 18, that a severe drought that has occurred since May in large areas of Germany has impacted the country's grain harvest. Farmers estimate that by the end of this year, only 46.5 million tons of grains will be harvested, which represents an 11% decrease compared to last year when the grain harvest was 52 million tons. The report states that drought has also negatively affected the production of fruits, rapeseed (a type of oilseed plant), and vegetables. Asparagus harvest in the country has decreased by 5% to 108,000 tons, and apple production has dropped by 21% to 885,000 tons. The report adds that in some regions such as Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and eastern areas of the country, the production of various agricultural products has decreased by 15 to 30%. The German National Farmers' Union states that the continuation of drought and heatwaves this month threatens some crops that are still immature, including corn, sugar beets, pastures, and forage crops. German farmers are also complaining about economic pressures resulting from the implementation of a minimum wage for workers that has been in effect since the beginning of this year. With the increase in minimum wage, farmers who need labor are facing rising costs. In a separate report, the French news agency noted that Poland is also facing drought issues, with the water level of the longest and most important river in the country, the Vistula, currently at its lowest level in 200 years. The water level of this river in Warsaw, the capital, has dropped by 50 centimeters, which, according to the IMGV, one of the meteorological organizations in the country, is the lowest since 1789. This 1,000-kilometer river will face further reductions in water levels in the coming years if the current trend continues. Recently, German media reported that the country's temperature this summer has risen above 30 degrees Celsius and even reached a record high of over 40 degrees, which is unprecedented in the past 100 years.