While in Northern Europe, persistent wet weather has had a marked effect on this year’s growing season, with farmers on the mainland breathing a collective sigh of relief as harvest draws to a close as those in Britain are left counting the cost of a washout summer, in Southern Europe drought has taken hold.

2012 may well be remembered as a year of drought. In major wheat producers from the United States, Russia and the Ukraine droughts have caused significant reductions in cereal crops. In Australia and now Southern Europe, high temperatures and low rainfall may impact on crops in field.

According to the latest Europe Mars Bulletin, drought conditions have affected southern European states, accelerating the harvesting of winter cereals. The lack of water is thought to have caused irreversible damage to summer crops.

In Spain in the South and Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria yields are forecast to be down this year on drier conditions. Spain has been plagued by forest fires this season, with problems exacerbated by arid conditions and diminished fire fighting resources due to the country’s economic crisis.

Elsewhere in Eastern Europe, drought conditions have reduced yields of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s major cereal crops by over 30 per cent. Resultant losses are estimated around €300 million. In Croatia losses will cost producers €134 million and Serbian officials have estimated the toll will be closer to €1 billion in the country. Kosovo and Macedonia will see 20 per cent reductions; wheat is said to be worst affected.

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