German grain harvest set to fall 7% to 41.9m tonnes as drought hits Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
Germany’s 2026 grain harvest is forecast at 41.9 million tonnes, down about 7% year on year, with Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg facing up to 20% losses. Farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied wants EU fertiliser aid tripled to €180m and 80% of direct payments paid in October.
The Deutscher Bauernverband estimates Germany’s 2026 grain harvest at 41.9 million tonnes, roughly 7% below the previous year, after persistent drought and heat cut yields across the south.
Regional losses and farm finances
Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg face projected grain losses of up to 20% this year, the association says. Farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied warns that many farms are in a tense economic position and facing a liquidity crisis.
Policy demands
Rukwied is calling for emergency measures: raising EU fertiliser subsidies from €60m to €180m, advancing 80% of EU direct payments to October, and cutting agricultural diesel taxes. The €180m figure is triple the current subsidy level.
| Measure | Current | Demanded |
|---|---|---|
| EU fertiliser subsidy | €60m | €180m |
| EU direct payment advance | — | 80% in October |
| Agricultural diesel tax | — | Cut |
Source: Handelsblatt Today / Deutscher Bauernverband.
