France, the European Union's largest grain producer, is experiencing a record heatwave that is severely impacting its maize and wheat crops. Analysts warn that non-irrigated maize fields could see production drop below 10 million metric tons, a level not seen since 1990, compared to 13.2 million tons in 2025. This downturn is largely due to the heat stressing corn during its sensitive flowering stage, compounded by already curbed plantings due to increased input costs.
The heatwave is also expected to reduce soft wheat yields to below 7.0 tons per hectare, down from 7.4 tons per hectare in 2025, resulting in a production decrease of at least 1 million tons from last year's 33.4 million tons. Later-developing wheat areas in northern France are particularly at risk as high temperatures can hinder grain filling. Euronext wheat and maize futures saw a 3% increase on Monday as concerns over crop damage grew.
Beyond crops, the extreme heat is causing widespread issues for livestock. Hundreds of thousands of animals, particularly poultry, have already died in France, with specific regions like Brittany and Pays de la Loire, unaccustomed to such temperatures, being heavily affected. Livestock are distressed, losing appetite, leading to reduced milk production in cows and slower fattening in pigs. This comes as European farming loses an average of over 28 billion euros annually to extreme weather.
The French government is contemplating declaring a state of emergency for the agricultural sector and is preparing to introduce a bill for emergency assistance, especially for poultry, dairy, and fruit and vegetable producers. This heatwave has exacerbated existing challenges for farmers, including high fertilizer and fuel costs, and is overshadowing the impact of the Iran war as the primary concern for food supplies. Meteorologists are also forecasting above-normal temperatures for months to come, with the developing El Niño phenomenon posing further threats.
