Extreme heat, drought, and wildfires are affecting various agricultural areas in Europe, raising concerns about reduced production and further pressure on food prices. The impact extends from cereals and oilseeds to permanent crops and fresh fruit.

European Union sunflower and soybean production forecasts have been revised downwards, as farmers in several countries report damage associated with water shortages and high temperatures.

In Spain, ASAJA reported damage caused by fires to agricultural land, vineyards, greenhouses, and crops such as citrus and olive trees. In other areas of southern Europe, the heat and lack of water are also affecting crop development.

The blueberry also feels the impact

Blueberry production in Spain and Portugal has not been spared. European market operators reported during July that the heat waves caused severe stress to the plants, affecting both the volume and quality of the fruit.

The problem became particularly relevant during the transition from supplying Morocco and Egypt to Spain and Portugal. Although fruit was available on the market, maintaining consistent quality and a sufficient shelf life for retail programs became more complex.

El calor también eleva los riesgos postcosecha del arándano. Durante el  Seminario Internacional de Blueberries Consulting realizado en Trujillo, la agrónoma y asesora postcosecha Jessica Rodríguez advirtió que las temperaturas elevadas aumentan el riesgo de deshidratación y pérdida de firmeza, haciendo más crítico el tiempo entre cosecha, proceso y enfriamiento.

These findings show that the effect of high temperatures is not limited to yield. In a fruit sensitive to its condition upon arrival, firmness and post-harvest life also become more important for sustaining commercial programs.

Lower forecasts for other crops

The impact of climate change extends beyond fresh fruit. High temperatures and dry soils have reduced expectations for various European crops, while wildfires have added further losses in certain agricultural areas.

In the case of olive oil, producers in Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal are closely monitoring the drought and heat ahead of the next harvest. Although prices had fallen after the sharp increases seen two years ago, the deteriorating growing conditions are once again causing concern about supply.

Sarah Vachon, founder of the Citizens of Soil group, told The Guardian that if weather conditions do not improve, reduced fruit availability could put further pressure on prices during the autumn.

Walter Zane, director of Filippo Berio's British subsidiary, explained that olive trees in Spain continue to suffer from water scarcity, despite temperatures being closer to normal than in other parts of Europe. He indicated that the progression of fruit loss and the potential for an early harvest will be factors to monitor closely in the coming weeks.

The report also notes increased pest and disease pressure associated with high temperatures.

The situation in Europe shows how heat and water availability are becoming increasingly important factors in production decisions. In the case of blueberries, reports from Spain and Portugal add a particularly sensitive variable for producers and marketers: maintaining quality and post-harvest shelf life during prolonged periods of high temperatures.

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