Pardubice Harvest Festival highlights agricultural drought and economic strain

The traditional Regional Harvest Festival took place at Pernštýnské Square in Pardubice, featuring an agricultural conference and awards for regional food producers. While the event celebrated local traditions, officials highlighted a severe and difficult year for the agricultural sector.

Pardubice Region Governor Martin Netolický reported that rainfall in the region has dropped by 40 percent over the last eight months compared to standard years. This drought has significantly impacted the yields of cereals and rapeseed. Netolický noted that the primary focus for agricultural organizations is currently the upcoming EU Common Agricultural Policy legislation for the period after 2028.

Leoš Říha, Vice President of the Agricultural Chamber of the Czech Republic, provided a more critical assessment. He cited a combination of drought, record temperatures, rising input costs, and falling purchase prices. Specifically, he noted a more than 25 percent drop in milk prices, which he warned is creating unsolvable cash flow issues. Říha called for extraordinary measures from the European Union and the national budget to prevent the collapse of agricultural enterprises or a sharp rise in raw material prices.