BERLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Too much rain, too little sun; and a slowed harvest -- this year's grain harvest in Germany was nearly a total loss for many farmers, who are now also facing lower market prices, according to the German Farmers' Association (DBV) on Thursday.
The association's harvest report indicates that this year's harvest reached 39.3 million tonnes compared to 42 million tonnes in 2023, which represents a continuation of a decade-long decline in Europe's largest economy and a "sobering result" for farmers.
Both the harvest quantities and, in some cases, the qualities have suffered massively in some regions from the recurring and sometimes very heavy rainfall, it said.
DBV President Joachim Rukwied described this year's grain harvest as another "nail-biter." Speaking to the German public broadcaster ZDF, Rukwied expressed the frustration felt by farmers, citing not only adverse weather but also governmental policies as contributing factors.
"The severely below-average grain harvest once again showed the clearly noticeable effects of climate change," he said, while also criticizing the government regulatory requirements that prevent farmers from applying fertilizers and protecting crops from pests and diseases as needed.
Rukwied pointed to the current market situation as a significant challenge as well. "The extreme decline in grain prices, coupled with high input costs, makes profitable grain cultivation in Germany nearly impossible at current price levels," he said, calling for an effective program to restore competitiveness in the agricultural sector.
Despite the poorer harvest, Rukwied does not expect a rise in consumer prices. "I don't assume that at the moment," he told ZDF. Food prices have been the stabilizer of inflation for decades in Germany. Between 2022 and 2023, there was a significant increase in food prices in the country. ■
