Joachim Rukwied, the president of the German Farmers’ Association, has issued warnings regarding the severe consequences of persistent drought alongside escalating costs in the agricultural sector. Speaking to “Heute-Journal” on ZDF on Thursday, he noted that large areas of Southern Germany are dry and brown, stressing that the situation is particularly critical in regions that have not received rain for extended periods.
Rukwied explained that agricultural operations are being squeezed from both ends: on one side, they are dealing with below-average harvests and low producer prices; on the other, they face soaring expenses. The costs for energy, diesel, and fertilizers are placing severe strain on farm businesses, leading to extremely tight liquidity. This financial pressure is making the pre-financing of new harvests increasingly difficult. To alleviate this financial burden, he strongly demanded a reduction in diesel taxes until at least the end of November.
While acknowledging that agriculture has been implementing measures to adapt to climate change for years-including water-conserving tillage and cultivating more heat-resistant varieties-Rukwied pointed out that the combination of high costs and low producer returns constitutes an additional, crippling burden. He further highlighted that wheat prices currently hover just below the levels seen in the 1980s, compounding the challenges faced by farmers.
