Cereal harvests in France have dropped by 11% this year due to a severe drought, according to the Association générale des producteurs de blé et autres céréales (AGPB), as reported on Tuesday, September 8. This decline affects all major cereals, including wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Soft wheat, a key variety used for bread and pasta, saw a 4% decrease, which translates to about 1.5 million tonnes less than last year. The drop has been attributed to a heatwave in May, which hit during the critical flowering stage of wheat, causing significant damage and in some cases, no grain formation at all. Eric Thirouin, president of the AGPB, highlighted the impact of the drought, saying, "A soil without water is a dead soil." He expressed deep concerns about the future of cereal farming in France if these dry conditions continue. The sector is currently facing one of its most difficult periods, worsened by international market conditions where cereal prices are falling below the cost of production, making it hard for farmers to stay profitable. The AGPB, a specialized branch of the larger agricultural union FNSEA, represents around 50,000 cereal producers in France. These farmers are struggling not only with reduced yields but also with rising production costs and uncertain market prices. In response to the crisis, the French Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, announced an emergency aid package of over one billion euros to support farmers affected by the summer's heatwaves, drought, and wildfires. However, agricultural unions have criticized the amount as being too low to adequately address the scale of the problem. Farmers are calling for more substantial support to help them recover from this year's losses and prepare for future challenges. With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, the long-term viability of French agriculture remains a pressing concern for both producers and policymakers.