{
  "id": 1823688,
  "title": "As Drought Hits Germany's Harvest, Will Food Prices Rise?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/as-drought-hits-germanys-harvest-will-food-prices-rise-1823688",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T23:17:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2117819/as-drought-hits-germanys-harvest-will-food-prices-rise"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Germany's main farmers' association has warned that the country's harvest this year will be below average due to a severe drought and crops damaged by extreme heat. The German Farmers' Association (DBV) expects a 7% decrease in grain production, with rapeseed yields down by nearly 17% compared to the previous year. The potato crop is also forecast to be below average, while some regions could see a significantly poorer harvest for sugar beet. Germany is experiencing a drought during a summer of record-breaking temperatures, which has worsened the effects of below-average rainfall since March, according to the German Weather Service.\n\nThe agriculture minister, Alois Rainer, stated that the government does not expect a sudden increase in food prices due to the lower harvest. The German Raiffeisen Association, representing 1,600 agricultural cooperatives, also believes a large price hike is unlikely. However, the substantial drops in rapeseed and sugar beet production could reduce domestic supplies of oil and sugar, leading to the need for imports. The drought is also causing a decline in animal feed stocks, particularly in southern Germany, which could drive up prices for feed, meat, milk, and eggs.\n\nThe drought represents an additional pressure on the already strained German agriculture sector, which has faced repeated challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. Food prices in Germany have risen by over 36% since 2020, with the most significant increases in poultry meat, dairy products, and eggs. The conflict in Ukraine has disrupted grain exports and raised energy prices, affecting fertilizer, transport, and food processing costs. Many farmers are facing higher costs and mounting debts, leaving limited room to absorb further losses. Some farmers have called for an immediate package of financial support from the government, such as boosting the European Union's fertilizer aid package and reducing agricultural diesel taxes.",
  "summary": "Germany's main farmers' association has warned of a below-average harvest after drought and crops damaged by extreme heat",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}