Romania drought affects 70,000 hectares of farmland

Drought conditions in Romania have impacted over 70,000 hectares of farmland as of late September, according to Ministry of Agriculture data. The affected areas include eight counties, with the most significant damage reported in Arad, Bihor, and Timiș. The drought has primarily affected wheat and triticale, covering approximately 44,680 hectares, though damage has also been noted in rapeseed, corn, sunflower, soybean, and pea crops.

Despite these losses, which represent about 2% of the country's total sown area, national grain yields are still expected to be stable. Projections suggest a total grain production of 23.6 million tons, with wheat potentially exceeding 12 million tons.

Experts highlight a significant gap in agricultural insurance coverage. While approximately 7.5 million hectares in Romania are eligible for insurance, only about 2.5 million hectares are currently covered annually. Many farmers continue to rely on state aid following extreme weather events like hail, frost, or drought, rather than private agricultural insurance, which remains an underutilized tool for managing increasing climate risks.