Drought shrinks French crops Growers seek aid and prices

2026

France 2 documents damage to the 2026 French vegetable harvest after repeated summer heat and drought. Grower Matthieu Lucas reports 50% potato losses, undersized unpaid potatoes and damage to maize and leeks, estimating €200,000 in losses and considering asking his industrial buyer for 30% higher prices. Farmers seek exceptional state aid. A Lot-et-Garonne cannery describes around 70% green-bean yield losses in the early-July to mid-August part of its season, more than 1,000 tonnes missing, production restricted to smaller cans and a 40% cut in seasonal green-bean staff. Producers expect to request wholesale increases in December negotiations; those increases are prospective, while the report says fresh-product prices have already risen 10% over a year.

France 2 documents the 2026 drought and summer heat damaging French vegetable harvests: Matthieu Lucas reports 50% potato losses and €200,000 damage across his crops; a Lot-et-Garonne cannery describes around 70% early-season green-bean yield losses, missing supply, smaller-format production and reduced seasonal employment. Growers seek state aid and expect to request higher buyer prices. Those requests do not establish adopted aid or future retail increases.