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Climate
June 2026 Heat Wave: €2 Billion in Losses for European Grain Farmers
Herz — Climate Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
The June 2026 heat wave, described as Western Europe's hottest June on record by Coceral, the European cereal trade association, cost grain farmers in the EU and UK approximately €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in lost revenue, according to an estimate by the ECIU published on July 22, 2026. Around 9 million tonnes of cereals were lost—Europe's weakest harvest since 2018. France is the hardest-hit country, with 3.4 million tonnes of maize destroyed, valued at €891 million. Hungary (2.4 million tonnes) and Spain (1.4 million tonnes) also suffered significant losses. The production deficit is expected to increase Europe's reliance on grain imports and push global commodity prices higher.
- June 2026 heat wave cost EU and UK grain farmers approximately €2 billion in lost revenue
- 9 million tonnes of cereals lost: Europe's weakest harvest since 2018
- France most heavily affected: 3.4 million tonnes of maize lost, valued at €891 million
- Hungary (2.4M tonnes) and Spain (1.4M tonnes) among the worst-affected countries
- Production deficit expected to increase grain import dependence and raise global prices
What we know
The June 2026 heat wave caused approximately €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in lost revenue for grain farmers in the European Union and the United Kingdom. This figure comes from an estimate by the ECIU (Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit), an independent British non-governmental organization specializing in the economic and political analysis of climate issues, published on July 22, 2026.
June 2026 was Western Europe's hottest June on record, according to Coceral, the European trade association representing the cereals and agricultural feed industry within the EU.
In total, approximately 9 million tonnes of cereals were lost compared to pre-heat wave forecasts. This volume exceeds the combined expected production of Austria, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and makes 2026 Europe's worst harvest year since 2018.
The heat wave struck at two particularly vulnerable stages: corn pollination and the grain fill stage of wheat—the period during which the head accumulates starch and protein reserves that will form the mature grain. Heat stress at these stages sharply reduces yields, even without visible plant damage.
The figures
€2 billion
Lost revenue for grain farmers in EU27 and UK
9 million tonnes
Cereals lost compared to pre-heat wave forecasts
€891 million
Value of French maize losses (3.4 Mt)
≥ 50%
Estimated yield losses in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, up to 70% for soybeans
France3.4
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