Drought and rising costs push farmers to the brink in 2023
Farmers across the country are facing severe challenges after one of the driest springs in years. The government has declared an emergency in the agricultural sector as groundwater levels drop and costs rise. Experts warn that without rain in May, this year’s harvest could be one of the worst in recent memory. The first three months of 2023 saw only 25 to 30 percent of the usual rainfall, with April barely reaching 60 percent. Groundwater reserves have now fallen to critical levels, leaving fields parched under prolonged sunshine. Global grain yields are already expected to drop by a couple of percent this year, adding pressure to local producers.
Fertiliser prices have surged from €350 to €500 per ton, forcing farmers to make tough choices. Tõnis Soopalu, a farmer in Jõgeva County, is considering skipping fertiliser for his winter crops entirely, fearing both the cost and the risk of drought. Others, like Romet Rässa in Kastre Rural Municipality, are rolling spring crops to compact the soil and lock in what little moisture remains. Even less intensive methods come at a cost. While rolling soil uses less energy than deep tillage, fuel prices keep expenses high. Ants-Hannes Viira, head of agricultural policy at the Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, has stressed that May’s weather will decide the fate of this year’s harvest. Without significant rain, he warns, yields could plummet further.
The combination of soaring input costs and extreme dryness has left farmers with few options. Many are scaling back fertiliser use or altering fieldwork to conserve moisture. With global grain forecasts already down, a poor harvest would deepen the strain on both local producers and food supply chains.
