Hail and heatwaves put Swiss agriculture under pressure, with 'almost destroyed' farms

Swiss farmers are grappling with the dual threat of intense heatwaves and damaging hail, which have severely impacted agricultural yields. The region has experienced an unusually long and hot period, with temperatures consistently surpassing 30 degrees Celsius, a phenomenon described as rare for this early in the season by Aurélien Bouchet, an agronomic technician at AgriGenève.

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We sometimes have heatwaves at the end of May or in June, but a full week with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees so early in the season is rare.

While recent rainfall provided some regional and temporary relief, it has also contributed to crop damage, compounding the difficulties faced by the agricultural sector. The drought map from MétéoSuisse now displays numerous danger pictograms, highlighting the critical state of water resources and the strain on crops.

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almost destroyed operations

The combination of extreme heat and subsequent rainfall has put significant pressure on farms, with some operations reportedly nearing destruction. The early onset and intensity of the heatwave have caught many by surprise, disrupting normal growing cycles and threatening harvests across the affected areas.

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extremely dry