- In 2024, the Farmers' Association reports a deficit in their crop yield.
The Farmers' Association of Germany isn't thrilled about this year's harvest outcomes. According to Farmers' Union President Joachim Rukwied on ZDF's Morning Magazine, farmers are displeased due to lower yields compared to previous years. He mentions a double whammy as the price level also takes a hit, falling significantly below past standards. "Agricultural frustration is indeed high following this harvest, which was also hampered by frequent rainfall," Rukwied shared.
For the past decade, yields for wheat and rapeseed have been decreasing, added Rukwied. The quality has taken a hit too. This can be attributed to climate change and government regulations, Rukwied pointed out. "Some places no longer allow for optimal fertilization, and we can't defend the plants from pests and diseases as effectively as before," he stated.
Surprisingly, Rukwied does not anticipate a price hike for consumers, stating, "I don't see that happening right now." Food prices have been playing a crucial role in stabilizing inflation for years. In the period between 2022 and 2023, there was a notable surge in food prices. "Our prices have now returned to a dissatisfying level, and our share of the final price is continuously decreasing," Rukwied added.
Recent rainfall in several regions of Germany has slowed down the combine harvesters, causing a delay in the initial grain estimates in early July that were almost average. Expectations were later scaled down.
Reflecting on the farmer protests in Germany and Europe a few months back, Rukwied said, "Unnecessary tax hikes were averted." "We managed to shift the agricultural policy discourse in Europe." However, in Germany, new impractical and unrealistic legislative proposals keep popping up, leaving Rukwied and the farmers frustrated, with a call to "make adjustments."
The Farmers' Association of Germany's discontent with this year's harvest is largely due to the decreasing yields in wheat and rapeseed over the past decade, as mentioned by Farmers' Union President Joachim Rukwied. The Inefficient agricultural regulations, exacerbated by climate change, are contributing factors to the lower yields and reduced plant resistance to pests and diseases, affecting agriculture substantially in Germany.
