Slovenian farmers face drought and weather-related economic hardships

Farmers in Slovenia are facing significant challenges due to prolonged drought and extreme weather. In the Ribnica and Velike Lašče regions, the drought has depleted meadows and reduced available livestock feed. This shortage is compounded by low market prices for milk and meat, as well as damage caused by wild animals.

The drought has also impacted forests, specifically spruce and beech trees, which are becoming more vulnerable to bark beetles. This poses a long-term economic threat to farmers who rely on forestry as a secondary income source.

In response, the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief has initiated the official damage assessment process for agricultural crops. Municipal commissions will collect damage reports between September 2 and September 23, with data to be entered into the Ajda application by September 25. Additionally, the European Commission has allocated 2.7 million euros to Slovenia to mitigate the effects of high fertilizer and energy prices.

In other areas, such as Kungota, farmers are also dealing with the aftermath of hailstorms. These storms have caused damage to vineyards, orchards, and young plants, creating long-term uncertainty for local wine producers and the regional landscape.