Germany's Farmers Brace for Harvest Amid Improved Weather Conditions
Hopeful farmers anticipate a typical yield
Down-to-earth Discussion:
Farmers in Germany are feeling more hopeful about the upcoming harvest following a dry spring that swept across the country. Joachim Rukwied, president of farmers, shared with the German Press Agency that rain fell in crucial regions, saving the crops from potential disaster. While not expecting a record-breaking harvest in cereals and rapeseed, there's a possibility for an ordinary one.
Dry Spells and Rain, a Tale of Two Seasons
Rukwied explained that certain parts of the country faced severe drought at the beginning of spring, but luckily the second half of May and early June brought rain, alleviating some of the damage. He mentioned that the alarming "horror scenarios" of an all-out drought, often portrayed in the news, didn't materialize for them.
The 2025 harvest will begin within the coming weeks, depending on the regional conditions. Last year saw a noticeable drop in the amount of grain harvested. For potato, beet, maize, and soybean crops, the outcome in July and August will still depend on the weather.
Struggles in the Arable Farming Sector
Grain prices have nosedived, despite ongoing high expenses related to energy, fertilizer, and plant protection products. According to Rukwied, the international markets remain uncertain at the moment, with some excess stock from last year.
However, the agricultural landscape varies depending on the subsector. For milk and cattle farming, there may be a glimmer of hope for stabilization, or perhaps even a slight improvement. As for pork, the best-case scenario is a steady trend.
A Crisis for the German Winegrowing Industry
Rukwied expressed that the winegrowing industry is grappling with one of the finest crises seen in decades. More vineyards are being abandoned, and consumption has dwindled over the years. He encouraged everyone who appreciates the charm of the German growing regions to support the local wineries by purchasing their wines.
In-depth Insight:
The overall expectation for the 2025 German harvest shows a mixed but optimistic picture. While wheat and rapeseed are forecasted for better-than-previously-feared production, crops like barley and maize still face pressures and regional disparities. For instance, North Germany is seeing good prospects for strawberries, while southern Bavaria struggles with challenging fruit crops due to prolonged drought.[1][3][4][5]
The market situation remains challenging for arable farming, with grain prices in turmoil despite persistent high costs. However, the improved production outlook may help put a lid on sharp price increases for wheat and rapeseed. Barley and maize, on the other hand, could experience regional price fluctuations due to reduced yields and persistent drought stress in key growing areas.[3][5]
[1] https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/landwirtschaft-regen-nach-trockenheit-20005358.html[2] https://www.wiwo.de/wirtschaft/agricoop/trockenheit-in-europa-krisenherde-entstehen-103061088. Hannah Walter[3] https://www.agrarmarkt.de/agrarmarkt/ShowNewsdetaill.aspx?aid=1571605[4] https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/landwirtschaft-regen-nach-trockenheit-20005358.html[5] https://www.agrarmarkt.de/agrarmarkt/ShowNewsdetaill.aspx?aid=1570927
The farmers in Germany are hopeful for an ordinary harvest in cereals and rapeseed due to improved weather conditions, as rain has fallen in crucial regions and alleviated some of the damage caused by the dry spell at the beginning of spring.
The weather in the coming weeks will play a significant role in determining the outcome of crops like potato, beet, maize, and soybean, as the harvest for these crops is yet to be decided.
