Hessian farmers warn of uneven harvest and mounting economic pressure

The Hessian Farmers Association reported that the 2026 harvest in the German state is highly variable. Winter barley in South Hesse is yielding average to slightly above average levels, while winter wheat shows early signs of heat and drought stress. Yields for maize and sugar beet remain uncertain because of uneven rainfall distribution, and the invasive reed glasswing cicada threatens potato and sugar beet crops.

Farmers also highlighted a strained economic situation: grain prices are low while costs for fertilizer, energy, fuel, seed and machinery stay high, making profitability uncertain even with decent yields. Association president Karsten Schmal called for reliable political measures, including lower energy costs, affordable nitrogen fertilizer, liquidity support and an expanded multi‑peril insurance scheme to help farms cope with increasing weather extremes.