Climate crisis is clearly impacting crop yields in Germany – ministry

Weather conditions exacerbated by the climate crisis – like late frosts, a wet autumn and a record-breaking warm spring – have led to a 9.1 percent decrease in grain yields (excluding maize), according to a report from the agriculture ministry (BMEL). Rainfall made sowing winter cereals difficult in some regions, meaning a 5.7 percent decrease in hectares farmed in comparison to the previous season. Potato cultivation, as well as fruit and wine growing, also suffered due to changing weather conditions. “The climate crisis is increasing the frequency and duration of extreme weather events, making production more difficult and increasingly jeopardising harvests,” said agriculture minister Cem Özdemir.

The report stated that climate adaptation measures are needed to deal with changing weather conditions in Germany. Although not all weather- and climate-related crop failures can be prevented, some farmers are adapting through the use of more resilient crops, diversified crop rotations and different methods of cultivation. The BMEL said they are actively supporting farmers, on top of investing in research and development to deal with the threat the climate crisis poses to agriculture. “Climate protection also means protecting our crops – and this will require the help of all sectors,” Özdemir added.

In June, Özdemir announced a relief package for farmers that included changes to taxes to shield them against crop losses due to weather events. The package was offered in the aftermath of countrywide protests by the agricultural industry earlier this year. Rising temperatures mean that some farmers are now growing olives in Germany, with some in the industry saying that the changing climate comes with new agricultural opportunities.