French farmers race to adapt as repeated heatwaves hit crops and livestock

An irrigation sprinkler sprays water on a corn field in Parigne-l'Eveque near Le Mans on 8 July, 2026, as drought worsens in Sarthe department during a heatwave affecting a large part of the country. © Benoit Tessier / REUTERS

After weeks of sweltering heat and drought, farmers and analysts fear France's maize crop could be down by a third this year – making it the smallest in 35 years. Poultry farmers are also counting their losses as many as 3 million broiler chickens died within a few days in in June. The damage is a result of three heatwaves that have already hit France this year, and is only set to intensify as climate change disrupts agriculture across Europe.

Temperatures have climbed above 40C in parts of France and elsewhere in Europe, affecting both crops and livestock.