Why Europe may be left without a harvest this year

The global food crisis, orglobal hunger may become another serious test for humanity this winter. Earlier we talked about the main reasons for the lack of food on Earth. Looks like they added another one. According to experts, this year Western Europe has been hit by the worst drought in 70 years, which could leave the region without grains, as well as without fruits and vegetables. In some countries, farmers have already lost a third of their crops. For example, in Portugal, apples and pears are badly burned, so they will have to be thrown away. In Italy, farmers are reporting large losses of valuable rice varieties traditionally used to make risotto and other popular dishes. But how serious is the situation and what is it connected with?

Europe hit by worst drought in 70 years

Crop losses in Europe - what are the forecasts

A catastrophic situation, due to a recorddrought, observed in Western Europe, as reported by Euronews. For example, in Romania, the potato crop was under threat. Summer residents probably know how important watering is for potatoes.

When it comes to a small area, it can beirrigate artificially. But in the case of growing potatoes on an industrial scale, it is impossible to irrigate it artificially, since it occupies vast areas. For example, in Romania more than ten thousand hectares of land are planted with potatoes.

Harvest in many European countries is falling into disrepair

Also in Romania, the crop was badly damaged.corn. For example, in the commune of Madaras, 500 hectares of this crop have already completely dried up. Recall that corn requires even more moisture than potatoes - 550 liters of water are required per square meter.

Currently threatened with crop destructioncovers 11% of the territory of the EU countries. However, according to a report by the European Commission, as reported by EADaily, a total of 46% of the EU territory will suffer from extreme heat and drought this year.

According to experts, most of all from droughtFrance, Spain, Romania, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Hungary and some other countries will suffer. All this will lead to the fact that the yield of grain and other crops this year will be worse than expected in the most pessimistic forecasts made earlier - the volumes will decrease by at least 25%. The thing is that, according to weather forecasts, rain should not be expected in August either.

US corn crop suffers due to drought

Harvest situation in other countries

Harvest problems due to drought and hightemperature, touched not only Europe. According to some reports, India, which is one of the largest exporters of wheat, may lose up to 15% of its crop this year. Recall that the world already had a crisis of grain.

Yields are also declining in the US.In particular, the other day futures for corn in Chicago rose after the report of the US government on the state of crops. The report raised serious concerns about the crop in the Midwest. Also, according to some reports, the wheat crop was seriously damaged here. Recall that some regions of America are faced with the most severe drought in the last 1200 years, which could last until 2030. From the foregoing, it follows that the food crisis may affect not individual regions, but almost all countries.

Drought in Western Europe linked to global warming

Drought in Europe linked to global warming?

Europe's drought has begun, experts saynot in the summer, but even earlier. Precipitation deficit was noted in the winter-spring period - only 19% of the average for the last 30 years fell. The situation was exacerbated by heat waves. As a result, many countries have run out of water, dried up rivers, and significantly reduced the moisture content of the soil.

The most critical situation arose in Italyalong the river Po. As a result, a state of emergency was declared in five Italian regions. The authorities have adopted restrictions on the use of water. Similar measures were also taken in France.

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Difficult situation notes in Spain.Currently, the volume of water in storage here is 31% lower than the average for the past ten years. In Portugal, stocks in storage facilities are generally 2 times less than in the last 7 years. It should be noted that these countries are now also at high risk of forest fires.

Although there is no direct evidence,experts link the current situation in Western Europe with the greenhouse effect and climate warming. This means that the problem is not temporary. We must be prepared for the fact that every year the situation will only get worse. And the consequences of this, as we said above, people can feel already this winter.