Extreme Heat Severely Reduces Agricultural Yields in Belgium
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Extreme heat and insufficient rainfall in Belgium have caused a 30% yield loss in potatoes and a 40% drop in milk production due to fodder shortages.
Potato Harvest Losses Are Rising
Extraordinarily high temperatures and drought, which continue to affect Belgium, are causing significant harvest losses in crop production. According to data published by Le Soir newspaper, yield losses in potato fields that did not receive adequate moisture during their growth phase have already reached 30%. While the inability of tubers to reach the desired caliber and size is putting producers in a difficult situation, it is estimated that yield losses will increase to 50% if the expected rainfall does not arrive in the coming days. Cereal fields, which had a productive spring, also suffered great damage from the heat in late June and July.
Fodder Shortage Reduces Milk Yield
The adverse climate conditions are directly pressuring not only field crops but also the livestock sector. The fodder shortage, which has emerged due to the drought in the fields, has brought about sharp declines of up to 40% in milk production on farms. The risk of drying in vegetable and fruit orchards is deepening, and no recovery in weather conditions is expected in the region in the near future. Faced with rising costs and decreasing yields, Belgian producers are seeking urgent measures to minimize income loss during the production season.