Eastern Europe’s Scorching Summer Damages Corn Prospects
- Temperatures have soared across many major producing nations
- A dip in production risks pushing up costs of livestock feed
Dry corn in a field.
Photographer: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Scorching heat across eastern Europe and the Black Sea region is withering corn at a crucial time in the crop’s development, driving concerns of a supply squeeze.
Temperatures have crossed 38C (100F) in Ukraine — a top global corn shipper. Romania — one of the European Union’s main producers — is in the midst of a drought. The harsh weather comes as the crop is at a critical pollinating stage. The heat could prevent kernels forming or cause existing plants to shrivel.