German grain harvest down 7 % to 41.9 million tonnes as drought hits Bavaria, Baden‑Württemberg

The German grain harvest fell 7 % to 41.9 million tonnes in 2026, the Deutsche Bauernverband said, marking the sharpest decline since the 2018 drought.

Harvest outlook

Compared with the 2025 estimate of roughly 45.1 million tonnes, the 2026 forecast represents a loss of 3.2 million tonnes. The reduction stems from a prolonged heatwave that left large swathes of arable land dry.

Regional impact

In Bavaria and Baden‑Württemberg, the association warns of grain losses of up to 20 % if the dry conditions persist, threatening the profitability of farms that rely heavily on wheat and barley.

Farmers' policy demands

Farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied called on the federal government to push the EU to raise fertiliser aid from €60 million to €180 million and to advance 80 % of the EU direct payments to October 2026.

Implications

The shortfall adds pressure on farm cash‑flows just as the EU’s 2026 budget cycle closes, increasing the likelihood of emergency support measures.