Farm workers are expressing concern over the sharp decline in crop yields.
Farmers in Germany have experienced a less than satisfactory harvest this year, with grain yields significantly lower than the previous year’s figure. The main causes are excessive rainfall and lack of sunshine. However, what really bothers farmers are the “theory-based regulations” of the policy.
According to the German Farmers’ Association, a harvest of around 39.3 million tonnes is expected this year, which is a significant drop compared to the 42 million tonnes harvested in 2023. This is a real disappointment, they say. The sometimes heavy rains have negatively affected not only the quantity but also the quality of the grain in certain areas.
Farmers’ Association President Joachim Rukwied described this year’s harvest as another disappointment. He blames poor weather conditions, especially wet weather from autumn to early summer, and a lack of sunshine, for the disappointing yield. Rain during the harvest period also often slowed down the combine harvesters. The significantly lower than average grain yield once again highlights the clear impact of climate change.
Rukwied also criticised what he called “misguided legislative requirements”. He called on the policy to abolish “theoretical and impracticable rules” for the industry. The association accused the policy of making it almost impossible for farmers to produce high-quality wheat, despite its demand. Instead, they are forced to produce wheat for feed due to regulations on fertilisation, among other things.
Rain brings blessings to sugar beets, corn and potatoes
Rukwied also commented on the increasingly stringent restrictions on plant protection as a contributor to the decline in grain and rapeseed yield and quality. He stressed the urgent need to rethink plant protection policy, given the high chances of fungal diseases this season.
Interestingly, excessive rainfall has been largely beneficial for sugar beet, corn, potatoes and vegetables. However, potatoes have suffered from leaf and tuber rot, and new diseases have appeared in sugar beet.
In fruit farming, significant damage has been caused, especially due to late frosts. The association regretted the double challenges posed by restrictions on plant protection and the minimum wage. In viticulture, a below-average harvest is expected in all growing regions. The harvest report of the German Farmers’ Association is an estimate based on reports from the 18 state farmers’ associations on the actual harvested areas and yields.
The German Farmers’ Association, in its harvest report, predicted a decline in grain yield to around 39.3 million tonnes for this year, a significant drop compared to the 42 million tonnes achieved in 2023. Rukwied, president of the Farmers’ Association, criticised “misguided legislative regulations” and called on politics to abolish “theoretical and impracticable rules”, he said.
