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Climate
June 2026 heatwave: 9 million tonnes of cereals destroyed across Europe
Herz — Climate Desk · · 30s summary · 4 min read
The essentials
Europe's June 2026 heatwave — the warmest June ever recorded in Western Europe — destroyed approximately 9 million tonnes of cereals and cost EU and UK farmers some €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in lost revenues, according to the ECIU. France bore the brunt, losing 3.4 million tonnes of maize valued at €891 million. Hungary (2.4 Mt) and Spain (1.4 Mt) were the second and third most affected nations. The 2026 harvest is expected to be the weakest since 2018, falling 9 million tonnes short of pre-heatwave forecasts. The extreme temperatures coincided with critical growth stages for cereals: maize pollination and wheat grain fill, both especially vulnerable to heat and water stress.
- June 2026: the warmest June on record in Western Europe
- 9 million tonnes of cereals destroyed, €2 billion in losses for EU and UK farmers
- France hardest hit: 3.4 Mt of maize lost, €891 million in foregone income
- Hungary (2.4 Mt) and Spain (1.4 Mt): Europe's second and third most affected nations
- 2026 harvest expected to be the weakest since 2018
What we know
Europe's June 2026 heatwave destroyed approximately 9 million tonnes of cereal crops and cost EU and UK farmers roughly €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in lost revenues, according to the ECIU. This British non-governmental organization specializes in the economic and political analysis of climate and energy issues, and released this assessment on July 22, 2026.
June 2026 was the warmest June on record in Western Europe, according to Coceral, the European trade association representing grain, oilseeds, and agricultural supplies within the EU.
The heatwave coincided with two critical biological stages for crops. Maize was in the midst of pollination. Wheat was undergoing grain fill — the phase during which heads accumulate reserves that form the mature grain, particularly vulnerable to heat and water stress.
The 2026 cereal harvest for the EU27 and the United Kingdom is expected to fall 9 million tonnes short of pre-heatwave forecasts — making it the weakest harvest since 2018. This deficit exceeds the combined projected production of Austria, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Most affected countries
France was the hardest hit country: approximately 3.4 million tonnes of maize were lost, representing an estimated €891 million in lost revenue.
Yield losses of at least 50%, reaching up to 70% for soya, after weeks of temperatures exceeding 38°C in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
— Benoît Merlo, farmer in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Hungary recorded the second-largest losses, with 2.4 million tonnes of cereals below forecast. Spain followed with an estimated deficit of 1.4 million tonnes.
France3.4
Hungary2.4
Spain
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