Europe’s harvests from grapes to apples hit by chaotic weather

In the UK, it’s the lack of sun that has troubled farmers of fruits like strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers.

France will see lower wine production volumes in some regions due tofrost, according to the forecasting department of its Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Cornelius Dönnhoff’s vineyard in Germany’s Nahe region — renowned among riesling aficionados — is normally bursting with grapes this time of year. But his vines are almost completely bare after April frosts destroyed early growth, and he’s unsure how the little fruit he has will turn out.

It’s a similar picture across some of Europe’s biggest fruit and vegetable producers. This year’s unusually wet spring and chaotic summer conditions have left farmers from Poland to the UK bracing for the impact on the flavour and size of their harvests, while the south battles yet another severe drought.