Münsterland farmers face high costs amid drought

Farmers in the Münsterland region of Germany are struggling with high costs and water scarcity due to ongoing drought conditions. To secure harvests, farmers are implementing intensive irrigation measures.

Thomas Tembrink, a farmer from Heiden, reports spending approximately 4,500 euros per week on energy costs alone to operate water pumps for his potato fields. He relies on three wells and significant manual labor to manage irrigation. Tembrink hopes that reduced supply across Europe due to dry weather will lead to higher market prices, helping to offset these increased operational expenses.

Organic farmer Patrick Schwienhorst in Sassenberg is also facing challenges. While his zucchini crops depend on artificial irrigation, his rainwater reserves stored in two cisterns have dropped to less than one meter. At current usage rates, these reserves may only last for approximately two weeks.