Austrian farmers sell livestock due to severe drought and fodder shortages

Record droughts in Austria have triggered a crisis in the livestock sector, forcing many farmers to sell their animals due to a severe shortage of fodder and water. Michael Wöckinginger, head of the livestock department at the Upper Austria Chamber of Agriculture, described the situation as "unprecedented," noting that yields from spring harvests were poor and existing winter reserves are rapidly being depleted.

The sudden influx of animals has significantly impacted the market. Slaughterhouses report receiving approximately twice the usual volume of animals daily, leading to a surge in supply that has caused cattle prices to drop by up to 25% in recent weeks. To manage the surplus, companies are being forced to freeze meat, which increases energy costs and reduces market value.

Experts warn of a cyclical economic threat: while current supply is high, the reduction in herd sizes will lead to a shortage of calves and meat in subsequent years, potentially driving prices up in the future. The crisis is further compounded by weakened demand from Switzerland, a key export market also affected by drought. In response, the Austrian breeders' association, ARGE Rind, has called for a temporary halt on the import of live animals to prioritize the processing of domestic livestock.