Overview
- This summer’s prolonged heatwaves and drought have sharply reduced yields across key crops, with sector estimates pointing to roughly 35% less maize, 23% fewer potatoes and about 20% fewer apples than in 2025.
- On August 26, the government published three arrêtés and INAO approved additional temporary derogations that let AOP cheese producers use outside or alternative forage without losing their labels.
- Ministry officials convened prefects to map losses department by department and will use that survey to finalise an emergency support package scheduled for September 3.
- Farmers are already drawing winter fodder early and facing steep feed and veterinary costs after over 3 million meat birds and 700,000 laying hens died this summer, creating acute cashflow stress on many farms.
- Retailers have relaxed size and appearance standards for fruits and vegetables as supplies shrink and prices rose about 13% this summer, raising the risk of higher consumer prices and tighter feed supplies this winter.