Drought and heat cut yields of key crops in Germany by 7–12%

Drought and high temperatures have significantly affected Germany’s agricultural sector in 2026. According to the country’s Agriculture Ministry, yields of key crops, including cereals, winter wheat and rapeseed, are expected to be 7–12% lower than in 2025.

German Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer described the situation as a “crisis of national proportions.” He said prolonged weather challenges pose risks not only to farmers’ incomes but also to the country’s agricultural production capacity.

In addition to adverse weather, farms are facing high fertilizer and diesel prices, rising production costs and low producer prices for agricultural commodities. Disruptions to global supply chains are adding further pressure. Farmers are also dealing with a range of extreme weather events, including drought, heat and heavy rainfall.

To support the sector, the German government has announced a financial package of around €1 billion. It includes expanded farm lending programs and assistance to offset fertilizer and diesel costs. The government is also considering a risk compensation reserve, wider use of multi-risk insurance and other measures to improve farm resilience.

German farming organizations previously warned that prolonged heat and drought could cause significant crop losses in some southern regions. Against this backdrop, debate is intensifying over future government support for farmers and measures to adapt German agriculture to increasingly frequent weather risks.

Tags: winter wheat, drought, rapeseed, Germany, fertilizers, diesel fuel, weather conditions