# Catalan agricultural drought and market pressures > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/catalan-agricultural-drought-and-market-pressures > Updated: 2026-09-19T02:00:42.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. A summer drought across Europe has created contrasting economic outcomes for the Catalan agricultural sector. Initially, the lack of rainfall increased demand for forage in several nations, boosting alfalfa exports from Catalonia to markets such as France, Germany, Switzerland, and Ireland. The president of the Associació Espanyola de Fabricants d'Alfals Deshidratat (AEFA) described France as a ‘consumidor desesperado’ (desperate consumer) and noted that the surge was likely a ‘coyuntura temporal’ (temporary situation). However, the drought has also caused severe risks for other crops. The Unió de Pagesos warned that rain-fed olive production in regions like Urgell, Segarra, and Garrigues could face losses of up to 95% without imminent rainfall. While irrigated groves remain more stable, the sector faces additional economic strain in the viticulture industry. In the Penedès region, producers have reported pricing disputes where cava producers are allegedly offering grape prices significantly below production costs, sometimes as low as 30 cents per kilo. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-19: Catalan agriculture faces drought risks and pricing disputes Catalan farmers face severe threats as drought risks a 95% loss in rain-fed olive crops, while grape growers report being offered prices well below production costs by major cava producers. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catalan-agriculture-faces-drought-risks-and-pricing-disputes ### 2026-09-12: European drought boosts Catalan alfalfa exports European drought has increased demand for Catalan alfalfa, turning traditional competitors like France into major clients and opening new markets in Ireland and Switzerland. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-drought-boosts-catalan-alfalfa-exports --- Cite as: Catalan agricultural drought and market pressures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/catalan-agricultural-drought-and-market-pressures