Pasture growth reaches new low

Agreste, the statistical service of France's Ministry of Agriculture, reported that cumulative growth of permanent pastures has fallen to 42% below the reference average from 1989 to 2018. This deficit is the worst since records began, surpassing the previous record set in 2003.

Data from monitoring model

The data comes from the Isop model, a system designed to monitor pastures using meteorological data and soil characteristics. The model estimates grass production based on these factors, providing insights into the health of pasture lands.

Growth has stagnated for months

As of September 30, only 52.9% of the annual reference growth had been achieved, far below the average of 91% at the same time of year. For over three months, the cumulative growth of pastures has remained unchanged, according to Agreste.

Deficit has worsened over time

The deficit in pasture growth has increased gradually over the past few months. By September 20, it was 36%, rising to 40% by September 20, with only 1% of the annual normal growth recorded in the last month.

Drought affects entire country

A nearly nationwide drought has led to a significant decline in pasture growth, with the entire country, except for a few areas, experiencing a deficit exceeding 25% as of September 30. Some regions saw deficits over 60%, with Limousin and Burgundy among the most affected.

Heat and lack of rain prevent recovery

Agreste attributes the lack of recovery to the absence of significant rainfall since the heatwave at the end of June. This has prevented any improvement in pasture conditions despite the end of the summer season.

Forage maize also declining

Forage maize, another key feed resource, is also suffering from the drought. Early estimates suggest a harvest of 11.4 million tonnes of dry matter, down from 15.5 million tonnes in 2025, representing a decline of 26.7% compared to the previous year.

Drought impacts livestock feed

As winter approaches, the reduced growth of grass and forage maize threatens the availability of feed for ruminant livestock. The extent of the impact will depend on the existing stock levels and the specific conditions of individual farms.

Economic impact of heatwaves

The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) estimates that the summer heatwaves could reduce French economic growth by about 0.1 percentage points in 2026, primarily due to the decline in agricultural production. This estimate is based on data from early September and may be revised later.