German drought slashes grain harvest by 7%, prompting farmer aid requests

The German Farmers' Association announced on Tuesday that the 2026 harvest will fall below average, with grain output expected at 41.9 million tons - roughly 7% less than the prior year - after a dry spring and a June heat wave damaged crops across the country. Rapeseed is set to decline by almost 17% to 3.3 million tons, and the Federal Statistical Office projects an 18% drop in the apple harvest, while potatoes and sugar beet also face below-average yields, especially in southern and western regions.

Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer said the government does not foresee an immediate surge in food prices, noting that supply chains and transport costs also influence costs. Nonetheless, the sharp fall in rapeseed and sugar beet could shrink domestic oil and sugar supplies, prompting higher imports, and animal-feed stocks have already dwindled in several states. The DBV has asked Berlin for an urgent support package, including a rapid increase in the EU fertilizer aid from €60 million to €180 million and a temporary cut to agricultural diesel tax. Minister Rainer pledged targeted assistance once reliable figures are released at the end of August.