European farmers are in the midst of the worst drought in half a millennium according to the EU’s European Drought Observatory (EDO).

The August report said 47 per cent of Europe is under warning conditions, with clear deficit of soil moisture, and 17 per cent in a state of alert, in which vegetation is affected.

The severe drought has been in place in much of Europe since the beginning of the year, with conditions getting worse these last few weeks.

Worryingly the EDO is warning this may continue until November.

Crops have suffered, with 2022 yields for grain maize set to be 16 per cent below the average of the previous five years and soybean and sunflower yields set to fall by 15 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.

The EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, said: “The yield outlook for European summer crops is reduced due to continued hot and/or dry weather conditions in large parts of Europe.

“Yield forecasts for grain maize, sunflowers and soybeans are below the five-year average. Forecasts for winter crops remain close to the five-year average.

“We are in constant contact with member states and remain available to continue assisting them to use to their full extent the possibilities to support farmers that are provided within the framework of the rules of the Common Agricultural Policy.”

Hydropower generation has also been hit, with further impact on other power producers due to a shortage of water to feed cooling systems.

Low water levels have hampered inland shipping, such as along the Rhine, with reduced shipping loads affecting coal and oil transport.

The EDO said mid-August rainfall may have alleviated conditions, but in some cases it had come with thunderstorms that caused further damage.