(de-news.net) – According to the German Farmers’ Association, the 2025 grain harvest in Germany yielded a total of 43.5 million tonnes, marking an increase of 11 percent compared to 2024 and 4 percent above the five-year average. This improvement is primarily attributed to expanded cultivation areas and enhanced per-hectare yields, with winter wheat contributing substantially to the overall growth. While certain crops remained at standard levels, others registered moderate year-on-year increases.
Despite the rise in total output, the harvest was characterized by pronounced regional disparities and certain quality deficiencies. The Association’s annual report highlighted that crop performance and grain quality were adversely affected by climatic irregularities, particularly spring droughts and persistent rainfall during the harvesting period. Although winter wheat production reached 21.7 million tonnes, concerns were raised regarding diminished falling numbers and reduced protein content, especially within designated ‘red zones.’ Winter barley and rapeseed also experienced slight improvements relative to the previous year. The Association’s president described the harvest as lesser in quality, citing restrictive regulations on crop protection and unfavorable meteorological conditions as significant threats to the sustainability of agricultural production. He warned that escalating pest and disease pressures, compounded by regulatory constraints, could pose serious risks to national food security.
Similar apprehensions were voiced by representatives of agricultural trade and organic farming sectors. They reported that erratic weather patterns — most notably a dry spring followed by a wet summer — had compromised grain quality to the extent that bread wheat and malting barley increasingly failed to meet commercial standards. The national self-sufficiency rate in grain production continued its downward trajectory. Organic producers observed regional variation in baking quality, with some areas experiencing deterioration – while others showed potential for improvement.
