Drought caused by heat waves this summer has resulted in catastrophically low yields for all types of cereals and feed crops in Portugal. Farmers are butchering their cattle or replacing cows with sheep and goats to reduce the need for feed. Either way, farms are forced to pay exorbitant prices for the shortfall in feed.
Yields halved
The heat and drought in Portugal have led to reduced yields, particularly in the livestock sector. Further down the chain, consumers’ wallets will also be hit hard, as yields of all types of winter cereals have halved. Thus, the yield of durum wheat, which is used to make pasta, has fallen from 13,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes. Portugal produces only 18% of the cereals it consumes, so this fall in yields means that cereal imports will have to be increased further.
The ideal sowing period for winter cereals in Portugal, particularly durum and soft wheat, is from 15 November to 15 December. This is the period during which last year’s rainfall was well above the normal range. As a result, farms were unable to sow normally.
Drought affected 97% of the country
Then there were as many as five heat waves between April and mid-August. The severe heat in April severely worsened the condition of winter wheat at an important stage of crop development. In the spring, the lack of rainfall and high temperatures led to early maturation. Finally, a severe drought affected 97% of the country. In some cases, such as in areas without irrigation, losses reached 100%.
The horticultural sector has also been affected by the prolonged heat: pear and apple yields could be reduced by 10% and 15% respectively, and cherry yields by as much as 55% compared to the previous year.
Animal feed became scarce
It is very bad with animal feed: the productivity of green mass in fodder fields and pastures decreases from 20 to 80 percent, depending on the area. In addition, a growing wild boar population feeds in the fields. Farmers estimate that the damage caused by wild boar to the corn crop last year was €8 million.
Prices for hay, silage and straw have risen by a factor of twice this year compared to last season. Portuguese livestock farmers who are short of their own feed tend to buy it from Spain and France. However, it is also a dry season there and their neighbors are asking fantastic prices for feed.
Scams have also become more frequent, with orders for cheaper feed being accepted for delivery and then disappearing with the advance payment. Many Portuguese farmers are getting rid of their livestock, queuing up at slaughterhouses or replacing cows with goats and sheep.
Source: https://www.agroportal.pt/
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