Brandenburg farmers face rising water costs and harvest volatility

Agricultural producers in Brandenburg face rising operational challenges due to changing water regulations and fluctuating crop yields. A new compromise proposal for water pricing is expected to be presented to the state cabinet next week. Starting in 2028, groundwater prices for farmers are set to increase stepwise by 10 percent every five years.

Under the new plan, the billing structure will shift from charging only 7 percent of used water to charging for 100 percent of the volume, though the first 3,000 cubic meters per year will remain free. While the price per cubic meter will drop from 11.5 cents to 1.38 cents, the broader coverage of usage is expected to increase total costs for many farms by approximately 1.5 times. Revenue from these fees is intended to fund regional water infrastructure.

In addition to water costs, the 2026 harvest season showed mixed results. While grain, strawberry, and sweet cherry yields were stable or increased, asparagus harvests fell by 7 to 10 percent due to drought. Rapeseed yields also declined significantly due to pest infestations. Farmers continue to struggle with high diesel and fertilizer prices alongside extreme weather events, such as heatwaves reaching 40 degrees Celsius.