Drought and heat cut German rapeseed yields by 20%

Germany’s winter rapeseed yields fell by 20% in 2026 due to adverse weather conditions and pest pressure. According to the German Farmers’ Association (DBV), rapeseed has been one of the crops hardest hit this season.

An exceptionally dry spring and a heatwave in the second half of June were the key challenges for German farmers. High temperatures coincided with critical stages of crop development, while moisture shortages in some regions resulted in sharply lower yields or partial crop losses. Pest pressure caused additional damage to rapeseed.

The grain sector is also facing a weaker harvest. DBV forecasts Germany’s total grain production to decline by 7% to 41.9 mln tons, compared with 45.2 mln tons in 2025. Average grain yields are expected to fall by 9%, while production will be slightly below the five-year average of 42.5 mln tons.

The southern states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria were particularly affected by drought and heat, with corn crops suffering damage that late rainfall is unlikely to reverse. Winter barley performed better, with yields falling by only 4%, as the crop had largely reached maturity before the most intense heat arrived.

Lower yields come at a challenging time for German farmers. According to DBV, low agricultural commodity prices combined with high costs for diesel, fertilizers and crop protection products are putting significant pressure on farm liquidity.

Tags: weather conditions, drought, rapeseed, Germany