Agricultural losses of 2.8 billion euros are suffered by Romania due to the drought, the newspaper "Adeverul" reports in its material, referring to the latest official information of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regions, broadcasts BTA.
„Damage from the drought is currently estimated at 1.8 billion euros, with losses from maize crops around 6 million tonnes, those from wheat – 1 million tons, rape losses are estimated at 400,000 tons, and those for sunflowers at 800,000 tons”, Cesar Gheorghe, a consultant on the export of agricultural products, explains to the publication.
„To this damage of 1.8 billion euros, however, the costs of sowing 1.76 million hectares are added, which raises the total losses to 2.810 billion euros“, adds the agricultural specialist.
Drought has affected almost half of Romania's wheat and corn production. Water reserves in large areas are almost exhausted, and in nearly 500 settlements, including municipalities, restrictions on water supply to the population have been introduced. Experts explain that the worst is yet to come: climate change is causing huge financial losses not only to the state, which will have to pay compensations, but also to farmers, who on the one hand have higher sowing costs and on the other hand extremely reduced production .
This summer, Romania is facing the longest heat wave, according to local media. In July, temperatures stayed above 40 degrees for many days in a row in the southern part of the country, where the main agricultural areas are located. A heat wave and lack of water have worsened Romania's summer crop harvest prospects. In its July forecast, the European Commission revised down the yields of five main crops, for which Romania is among the main exporters.