# Agricultural drought crisis in Germany

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/agricultural-drought-crisis-in-germany
> Updated: 2026-08-08T12:00:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Extreme drought and heat waves in 2026 have caused significant agricultural disruptions in Germany, particularly in Bavaria, where a state of drought emergency was declared. The weather volatility—marked by spring cold, hail, and summer dryness—has forced farmers to conduct early maize harvests to secure fodder supplies.

As yield losses mount across southern, western, and eastern Germany, the crisis has intensified political debate regarding agricultural regulations. The German Maize Committee and the Fachverband Biogas are lobbying to abolish the "maize cap," a regulation limiting the proportion of maize used in biogas production. While the government's draft for the EEG 2027 maintains a 30 percent mass limit, agricultural organizations continue to push for changes amidst the supply shortage.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-08: Germany faces drought crisis amid biogas lobby push to lift maize cap

Severe drought in Germany has prompted a state of emergency in Bavaria, while biogas and maize lobbies push to abolish the

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-faces-drought-crisis-amid-biogas-lobby-push-to-lift-maize-cap

### 2026-08-07: Drought in Bavaria forces early maize harvest and impacts fodder supply

Extreme drought in Bavaria is forcing early maize harvests and prompting farmers to seek fodder alternatives using fallow land, provided they navigate complex subsidy regulations.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drought-in-bavaria-forces-early-maize-harvest-and-impacts-fodder-supply

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Cite as: Agricultural drought crisis in Germany. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/agricultural-drought-crisis-in-germany