Strongly contrasting weather conditions in Europe affect crops in multiple ways

23.05.2023 527 views

Although crops were affected in many areas a fair yield outlook is maintained in most regions, except in the Iberian Peninsula.

Worsened conditions in the Iberian Peninsula 

Continued and intensified drought conditions in the Iberian Peninsula further worsened the outlook for crops in Spain and Portugal. In both countries, the yield forecast for all main crops have dropped to well below last year’s poor level. Details on the drought in the Maghreb region can be found in the JRC MARS bulletin on North Africa.

Wet conditions in many other parts of Europe delays summer crops but improves soil moisture levels 

A distinct rainfall surplus and/or colder than usual conditions caused delays to the sowing of summer crops and impaired other field operations in a large belt extending from Ireland to Bulgaria and Ukraine. An important positive aspect of the rainfall surplus is that, from a crop-water supply perspective, soil moisture and ground water levels in most of the areas affected are currently at a very favourable level for this time of year.

While north-western Italy is recovering from the drought reported in April, extreme rainfall events in the north-east caused locally severe loss of production of wheat and barley and substantial damage to permanent crops

Yield forecasts remain at fair level

Despite the exceptionally contrasting weather conditions experienced, a fair yield outlook is maintained in most EU regions. Downward revisions in the table below are mainly due to the worsened outlook in Spain and Portugal.

Source - https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu

22.01.2026

USA - Senators urge USDA to restore prevented planting coverage

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar led a bipartisan letter Wednesday urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinstate additional crop insurance coverage for acres prevented from being planted.

22.01.2026

Türkiye boosts agricultural transformation amid 2025 climate risks

Türkiye’s agricultural sector faces climate risks in 2025 while accelerating reforms in water management, digital farming, food safety and rural investment.

22.01.2026

Syngenta, IECA Expand Sustainable Agriculture Training in Mexico

Syngenta launched an online training program focused on sustainable agriculture and the professionalization of the agricultural sector. The initiative is open nationwide to agrifood professionals seeking to improve productivity while adopting responsible and regenerative practices. 

22.01.2026

UK - Minister Muir celebrates £7.91million investment in rural areas

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the award of £7.91million in grants to over 2,350 rural community organisations and businesses over the past year.

22.01.2026

Insurance payments for grain fields in Azerbaijan grew by 63%

Last year, a total of 5.175 million manats of insurance compensations were paid to farmers and farms in Azerbaijan who suffered losses on wheat and barley acreage as a result of various accidents.

22.01.2026

Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Announce Satellite Based Insurance Available Under the 2026 Crop Insurance Program

Today, Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced enhanced business risk management support for the livestock sector.

21.01.2026

Canada - Manitoba crop insurance expands wildlife coverage, offers pilot programs

High participation rate underscores importance of insurance in risk management.

21.01.2026

India - Farmers demand adequate electricity and fertilisers, with concrete provisions for insurance and fair crop prices

Farmers have high hopes from the Union Budget, openly presented demands in the Patrika Talk Show at Krishi Upaj Mandi Paharua.