Heatwaves and drought impact vegetable and fruit production

Extreme heatwaves and prolonged drought are significantly impacting the supply and quality of fruit vegetables, particularly tomatoes, according to Jonathan Vandesande of FMB. The extreme temperatures experienced in late June and early July caused many flowers to shed, leading to a sharp temporary drop in production and putting quality under pressure.

The drought is also affecting open-field cultivation and fruit growing. Cauliflowers are appearing smaller than usual, and many growers face restrictions on pumping water for irrigation. In fruit growing, the first batches of the pear harvest are showing small sizes due to insufficient soil moisture, prompting some producers to begin harvesting earlier than usual.

While August is traditionally a slower period for the market due to holidays in major regions like Germany's Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, as well as in France, the current weather forecasts remain a concern for producers.