The maize harvest in Luxembourg is expected to fall by 20% to 25% compared with the average over the last five years. In a reply to a parliamentary question, the minister for agriculture, food and viticulture, 
The harvest began exceptionally early this year. As early as the beginning of August, farmers were ensiling the first crops that had suffered from the drought. Due to the high temperatures, the harvest is also expected to end much earlier than in other years.
Local showers partly explain the differences between the plots. Martine Hansen points out that they “are making all the difference this year”.
The ministry bases its estimate on the variety trials being conducted by the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (Asta) at various locations across the country. Harvesting of these plots began at the end of August and was still ongoing at the time of the reply.
More cattle at the abattoir
According to statistics from the Rural Economy Department, the number of cows and cattle arriving at the abattoir rose from 331 between 20 and 26 July to 363 between 17 and 23 August. At the same time, their average carcass weight fell from 397.4 to 389.1 kilograms, which may indicate that the animals are being slaughtered earlier.
However, the ministry has not observed “any significant changes” in the prices of the various categories of livestock over the past month. The number of animals and their slaughter weight usually fluctuate by around 10% per month.
“It is still too early to say whether these fluctuations in the number of animals slaughtered will lead to a fall in meat prices,” the minister said.
Losses in several European countries
According to forecasts presented by the European Commission on 30 July, silage maize yields are expected to fall by an average of 4% to 6% across the European Union.
The drought and heat have had a particularly severe impact on maize in Hungary, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany. The Baltic states, Croatia, Bulgaria and Spain have reported more favourable prospects.
Heat stress also affects the quality of maize and wheat. In some regions, grain maize is used for silage, whilst bread-making wheat is used for animal feed.
The ministry is considering financial support
The ministry does not yet know whether farmers will have to buy fodder from abroad, or in what quantities. “The growing season is still far from over,” points out Martine Hansen. The return of the rain could still allow for another grass harvest.
Thanks to the 2025 harvest, which the minister describes as ‘above average, or even very good’, many farmers also have fodder reserves.
Any government intervention to purchase fodder from abroad should comply with the procedures and timeframes governing public procurement. The ministry considers this approach to be less effective than the usual commercial channels and is examining the administrative and financial support available to assist the agricultural sector.
