Folgen für die Landwirtschaft: Analyse: Kartoffelernte bricht durch Hitze und Dürre ein

Summer heatwaves and drought in 2026 have significantly impacted the potato harvest in northwest Europe, according to a new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Compared to the five-year average, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands collectively lost around 3.11 million tons of potatoes. The value of the lost production in these four countries is estimated to range between €405 million and €622 million, with Germany facing the largest absolute loss of 1.13 million tons.

This analysis, which is based on estimates during the ongoing or recently ended harvest, predicts that the effects of record-breaking summer heat and drought will become evident in food supply and agriculture once autumn begins. Tom Lancaster, an ECIU analyst, stated that potatoes, being one of the most water-intensive crops in Europe, were expected to be severely affected.

Actual yield assessments from the industry have shown reductions of up to 20 percent in some cases. Potato farmers, who are at the front line of climate change impacts, face a very poor outlook. The analysis also reports noticeably increased prices. In Germany, processed potatoes are valued at approximately €240 per ton, while fresh potatoes ranged from €270 to €280 per ton at the start of the season, compared to around €150 per ton last year.