Normandy orchards suffer severe drought, threatening cider and spirits production

In the heart of the Pays d'Auge, apple growers like Nathalie Olivier observe a stark change in vegetation, with fields turning from vibrant green to a dull yellow within two weeks. The drought, unusual for the typically rainy Normandy, persisted from May until mid-August, leaving trees to extract remaining soil moisture. Apples are now smaller, often falling a month ahead of schedule and showing signs of damage.

This shortfall is projected to slash cider, juice, pommeau and Calvados production potential by about 50%, potentially halting the operation of a key distillery. Only a limited quantity of apples will be available for the AOP Pays d'Auge cider, while the national cider federation foresees a 30% reduction in overall harvests.