The map of the Joint European Research Center shows a persistent drought in Central and Eastern Europe in the first ten days of May 2025. Some areas of the Mediterranean region are particularly affected - especially in south-eastern Spain, Cyprus, Greece and the south-eastern Balkans. There, the lack of rainfall and above-average temperatures in the first few months of the year have led to an increasing drought warning.
In contrast, most regions of Portugal, Spain, western and central France experienced a rainy winter and spring, while northern Italy only saw more precipitation at the beginning of spring.
During these first 10 days of May, temperatures in central and southern Europe showed negative (cold) anomalies due to the prevailing northerly winds, while warmer than average anomalies were observed in the North Sea basin, central Europe and the Mediterranean region at the beginning and end of the period.
Effects on shipping already noticeable
The effects of the drought were particularly evident on European rivers at the beginning of April. For example, the conditions along the Rhine changed considerably within just a few weeks. After a winter and spring with little precipitation, water levels have fallen, particularly on the Upper Rhine, and are already affecting shipping on the Middle Rhine.
With forecasts predicting above-average, prolonged drought in northern and western Europe until June, there is growing concern about the potential impact on agriculture, inland navigation and ecosystems.
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DLG-Agrifuture Insights is the DLG knowledge brand and platform for international trend analyses in the agricultural sector. It examines the business environment in agriculture in Germany and worldwide. For this purpose, farmers and people from agribusiness, science and consulting are surveyed annually on their assessments of the economic situation and development of agricultural businesses, as well as technology trends and innovations in the individual business sectors.
Water strategy to help reduce water consumption
In view of current developments, the EU Commission also wants to present a water strategy before the summer. The aim is to reduce water consumption. The Commissioner responsible said: “Industry, farmers, but also we as consumers must all be aware that water is a finite resource”.
Increasing weather extremes with recurring periods of drought mean that irrigation systems are being used more and more frequently. In Europe, agriculture accounts for an average of 28 percent of water withdrawals.
Irrigation in Germany is increasing
In Germany, the irrigated area increased from 0.37 to 0.55 million hectares between 2012 and 2022, i.e. by around 50 %. This means that agriculture in Germany uses two percent of the water extracted from the natural water cycle nationwide. Worldwide, agriculture accounts for around 70 percent of water withdrawals. According to the FAO, the irrigated area around the globe more than doubled between 1961 and 2018. Around 20 percent of the world's agricultural land is now irrigated.
Thanks to the expansion of water infrastructure (dams, canal systems) and irrigation technologies (drip irrigation, more efficient pumping systems), the availability of irrigation water has improved in many regions in recent decades and the efficiency of irrigation has increased. However, irrigation is only sustainable if the water reserves from which the water is drawn are replenished over time. If this is not the case, there is a risk of water shortages. It is therefore crucial to find solutions to reduce water consumption.
Resource-saving solutions in demand
For example, adapted cultivation methods such as reduced tillage, the cultivation of undersown or non-hardy catch crops and adapted sowing techniques such as mulch sowing or direct sowing can be used. They promote the build-up of humus, improve soil biology and soil cover. This can increase water absorption capacity and reduce erosion and evaporation.
Another key may lie in adapting the crop rotation. The cultivation of more drought-tolerant crops and varieties makes it possible to adapt specifically to the changed climate conditions. This means that yields can continue to be guaranteed and crop failures due to drought can be avoided.
In addition to crop cultivation solutions, the use of more efficient irrigation technology is certainly an important aspect in saving water resources, especially outside Germany and Europe.
The basis for the best possible application is a good information base. The DLG, ALB and KTBL Irrigation Expert Group has compiled a comparison of field irrigation systems in a leaflet. Articles on drought and resource-conserving irrigation have been published in the DLG Magazine and DLG Mitteilungen.