Europe’s heatwave in June cost grain farmers €2bn in lost revenue and crop damage

EU set for for worst crop harvest in decade after total grain yield estimated to be 9m tonnes smaller than expected, analysis finds

The heatwave that swept across Europe in June is estimated to have cost the continent’s grain farmers €2bn (£1.7bn) in lost revenue and destroyed 10m tonnes of crops, according to a new analysis, raising concern about the impact on food prices.

The European harvest of crops including wheat, barley, maize and oats is now predicted to be 9m tonnes smaller than forecast before the June heatwave, according to Coceral, the European association which represents trade of cereals and oilseeds.