Drought and heatwaves disrupt farming projects

Drought and heatwaves in 2026 disrupted agricultural installation projects on October 27, 2026, at 05:12. These extreme weather conditions affected a large portion of young farmers who had recently started their agricultural activities.

Majority of young farmers affected

According to the latest agricultural installation barometer from Eloi, 80% of young farmers were impacted by the drought and heatwaves of summer 2026. Eight percent considered stopping their activity, and four percent plan to do so. For only 25%, "even though the effects are real, the balance holds."

Project holders also impacted

80% of agricultural installation project holders also say they have been affected by the climate challenges. 28% considered giving up, but only 4% have made this decision. The repeated climate hazards "make the journey, already very complicated and uncertain, even more difficult, without certainty of being able to produce in a sustainable, viable, and livable way," added another farmer.

Most continue despite challenges

Despite the difficulties, the unprecedented situation of the past few months has not completely discouraged them. 96% have decided to continue their projects, although they are less confident in the success of their project than before this event. 61%, or just under two-thirds, now have a less optimistic view of the future compared to 77% in February.

Confidence eroding among young farmers

Young farmers who have recently started their installation believe less in the success of their installation than those who are not yet installed: 54%, or just over half, versus 61%. Their level of confidence has also decreased since February, by 16 points, similar to the project holders.

Production reduced and projects modified

75% of farmers had reduced production due to the dry and hot weather. 93% have modified their project. 63% had additional work, and 42% lost animals and/or crops. 38% were forced to buy forage, and 29% had to make urgent investments.

Financial strain and unplanned expenses

25% report tight cash flow and 25% were forced to delay their investments. 60% of recently installed farmers had to resort to unplanned forage and feed purchases. These figures are supported by the verbatim: "The lack of water for pastures and animals scares me. Agriculture in the coming years is very uncertain."

Adaptation and rethinking projects

93% have modified at least one of its components: 43% have integrated a new investment, 37% have revised their projected budget upwards, 35% have changed the planned crop rotation or production, 28% the desired geographic area or the schedule established for their installation, 27% the overall size aimed for.

New criteria for evaluating farms

The drought and heatwaves they have just experienced "also change the way future installers evaluate the farms to take over," notes Eloi. On the climate front, access to water is indeed what is considered first, by 66% of respondents. Then come the presence of trees and hedges (62%), forage autonomy (51%), adaptation of buildings to heat (50%), the condition and depth of soils (45%).

Lack of support for new farmers

For the two targeted audiences, there is a lack of technical references (42% of responses), as well as dedicated funding (40%), economic benchmarks (33%), identified contacts (32%), and experience feedback (30%) to support the changes to implement. "The farms best prepared for climate hazards are today more attractive for takers over," argues Eloi. The question is to know "how to maintain the attractiveness of those that are most exposed, especially south of the Loire."