Spanish crops and livestock face early feed shortages after eight months of extreme storms, fire and drought
Executive summary: Storms, fire and prolonged drought have damaged over 1.2 million hectares of Spanish farmland, prompting livestock farmers to use winter feed stores early. Early depletion of fodder threatens animal health, reduces meat and dairy output, and could drive up feed costs for the livestock sector.
Who is involved: Spanish cattle and sheep herders, the Ministry of Agriculture, regional agricultural cooperatives, and feed suppliers.
Likely next: Government agencies are expected to assess emergency fodder aid; market watchers anticipate higher feed prices and potential revisions to 2026 cereal harvest forecasts.
More than 1.2 million hectares of Spanish farmland have been damaged this year, forcing herders to consume winter fodder reserves in August. The situation points to imminent pressure on livestock productivity and could raise feed prices across the region. Analysts note that the combined climate stress adds to existing concerns about energy supplies and broader agricultural stability in the EU.
Timeline
- — +++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: EU will Druck auf Russland erhöhen (Handelsblatt)
- — Tormentas, fuego y sequía: el campo español intenta resistir tras ocho meses de asfixia climática (El País — Economía)
- — La subida del gas a nuevos máximos agrava la cuenta atrás para almacenar reservas para el invierno (El País — Economía)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Spanish livestock farming
- Spanish cereal cultivation
- Fodder feed market
Sources
- Tormentas, fuego y sequía: el campo español intenta resistir tras ocho meses de asfixia climática — El País — Economía
- La subida del gas a nuevos máximos agrava la cuenta atrás para almacenar reservas para el invierno — El País — Economía
- +++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: EU will Druck auf Russland erhöhen — Handelsblatt
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