Drought pushes corn harvests in Central and Eastern Europe to multi-year lows

Record heat and severe moisture shortages have sharply worsened the outlook for corn production in Central and Eastern Europe. According to the European Commission, the EU corn harvest is forecast at just 50.1 mln tons this year, the lowest level in nearly two decades and around 20% below the average of the past three years.

The situation is particularly difficult in Hungary, where corn production is forecast at only 2.5 mln tons, less than one-third of the volumes recorded in 2018–2019. Hungary, traditionally a corn exporter, is being forced to increase imports this year.

Romania is expected to harvest around 8 mln tons of corn, less than half the levels recorded in 2018–2019. The country’s export potential has also declined significantly, with shipments in recent years ranging from 2.2 mln to 4.7 mln tons, compared with more than 7 mln tons at the beginning of the decade.

Lower domestic production is expected to increase the EU’s reliance on external supplies. Expana analysts forecast that EU corn imports could rise by 8–9% in the 2026/27 season.

Recurring droughts are also forcing farmers in Hungary and Romania to reconsider their crop mix, shifting away from corn toward more drought-resistant winter crops and sunflower or investing in irrigation. However, irrigation capacity is also being constrained by falling water levels in rivers, including the Danube.

Tags: drought, weather conditions, harvest, corn, EU