The record-breaking heatwave that hit Europe in June has cost the continent's grain farmers an estimated €2bn (£1.7bn) in lost revenue, according to analysis from the European cereals trade body Coceral, with the total 2026 grain harvest now expected to be 9m tonnes smaller than previously forecast. This would leave the EU's 27 member states and the UK with their smallest harvest since 2018, raising concerns about farmers' incomes and broader European food security, as well as potential knock-on effects for food prices.

The heat damaged crops including wheat, barley, maize and oats, striking maize during its critical pollination period and wheat during "grain fill", when moisture is essential for yield. France is worst affected, with about 3.4m tonnes of maize lost and an estimated €891m hit to grain revenue, followed by Hungary (2.4m tonnes) and Spain (1.4m tonnes); one French farmer reported potential yield losses of 50-70% for crops such as soya. British farmers are also grappling with dry conditions following the heatwave and a dry spring, particularly in East Anglia and south-east England, with the National Farmers' Union describing growers working "around the clock" to bring in early harvests and keep crops and livestock watered.