While much of Europe suffers from a third heat wave since June, fears are growing that the extreme drought triggered by climate change in the continent's barn nations will affect crop stability and deepen the housing cost crisis. The European Commission on Wednesday called on EU member states to reuse urban wastewater treated as irrigation on the continent's dry farms.

In France, where an intense drought hit farmers and caused broad limits on freshwater use, there was only 9.7 millimeters of rain last month, Meteo-France said. That was 84% lower than the average levels seen in July between 1991 and 2022, making it the driest month since March 1961, the agency added.

The southwestern region of Gironde, already devastated by forest fires last month, recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, with Meteo-France predicting a peak on Thursday. Farmers across the country report difficulties feeding livestock due to dry pastures, while irrigation has been banned in large areas of the northwest and southeast due to freshwater shortages.

Environment Minister Christophe Bechu said the July rains accounted for "only 12% of what is needed." France is the fourth largest exporter of wheat and one of the five largest exporters of corn in the world. Crop breaks due to drought can increase pressure on grain supplies after the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a global shock. The information is from AFP Bureaux.

Source: Agrolink