The current weather conditions are having an impact on the 2016 harvest. It's too wet and too cold. Farmers all over Europe are worried about the harvest. In Northern Europe many regions have been affected by heavy rains and floods. Important agricultural areas in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have been affected.
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Source: Farmers and winegrowers association Rheinland-Pfalz Süd[/caption]
Last week 20% of the leafy vegetables and herbs in the northwest of Germany were submerged in water in such a way that harvesting is impossible.
Although these losses probably will be compensated during the year, it will be at a price.
Furthermore, the cold wet weather creates a favorable atmosphere for the spread of plant diseases and fungi. The wet soil is too soft for vehicles and this prevents the use of pesticides on the fields. This also causes vegetables to grow slowly. And at the same time, the sowing of late varieties such as cucumbers is delayed in many regions.
Despite this alarming situation it is too early to give a reliable estimate of the 2016 harvest. The harvest hasn’t started yet; and just as in previous years farmers might compensate the extreme weather. However the excessive rain shouldn’t increase, that would complicate matters.
If the current weather is a result of the climate change, this could become a long-term problem for the agricultural sector.
Source - http://www.freshplaza.com
