Severe drought could cancel out gains in EU food production

 

Just under half of the EU’s territory is at risk of severe and prolonged drought, according to a new European Commission report, coming amid warnings this unprecedented heatwave may negate gains in food production supposed to help plug the gap left by the Ukraine war.

The July drought assessment, released by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre on Monday (18 July), paints a grim picture of dry and difficult months ahead.

It found that as much as 46% of EU territory is currently exposed to warning drought levels, while 11% remains on higher alert, a number it calls “staggering”.

The lack of moisture in the soil causes considerable vegetation stress, piling pressure on the EU’s agricultural systems and sparking concerns about its impact on crop yields.

“Competition for water resources is high and started earlier than usual,” the report reads, adding that water and heat stresses have “reduced crop yield and crop potential”. (...)