France is facing an ONION shortage as heatwaves threaten country's crops

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:02, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 20:14, 19 July 2026 France is facing an onion shortage after three 'massive' heatwaves destroyed crops across the country.  Farmers could lose thousands of tonnes of vegetables, and some sectors could see 50 per cent of their annual tonnage wiped out as 40C temperatures ravage farm produce.  Shoppers have subsequently been told to expect fewer fresh vegetables on supermarket shelves. Onions, baby greens, salad greens, carrots, leeks, shallots, garlic, blueberries and strawberries could all now face shortages in the coming weeks.  Vegetables of France, an industry group that represents producers, has warned that the situation is 'shaping up to be an annus horribilis', meaning 'horrible year'.  The trade organisation has warned: 'Three massive heatwaves in three weeks across France and Europe: for French open-field vegetable production, it is shaping up to be an annus horribilis. 'The third heatwave is still underway, but data from the early-July event is becoming clearer - the situation is catastrophic. 'For crops such as lamb's lettuce, baby greens, salad greens, carrots, leeks, shallots, garlic and onions, losses to date amount to thousands of tonnes per product.  Onions, baby greens, salad greens, carrots, leeks, shallots and garlic could all face shortages thanks to the extreme heat destroying crops across France this season. Pictured: Vegetables on a farm in Chaponost, eastern France Farmers could lose thousands of tonnes of produce, leaving supermarket shelves bereft of fresh vegetables 'For producer organisations, this already represents tens of millions of euros in losses to date.' The group added that losses for certain sectors could reach 50 per cent of annual tonnage. In May, before the heatwaves hit the country, France had been expected to produce 495,000 tonnes of tomatoes.  But, according to Vegetables of France, up to half of tomato production had stalled this season.  This is 'compounded' by supply strains via intra-European airports, said the organisation, as France is not the only country on the continent affected.   Due to a lack of water, unless weather conditions improve in the next two weeks, which is unexpected, reseeding or replanting will not be possible, it said. France has seen three record-breaking heatwaves since May, with temperatures reaching 44C in some areas of the country.  A 'hair-drying effect' has ravaged huge swathes of farmers' crops as hot, dry winds - on top of heatwave temperatures - suck moisture from the produce faster than roots can get it from the soil. This means the crops die.    Some parts of the country have seen temperatures exceeding 40C, sparking huge wildfires  This satellite image taken on July 8 shows smoke from a wildfire near Calencas-et-Levas, southern France Vegetables of France said the situation could have 'severe' knock-on effects for jobs and the economy, as the threat of temporary redundancies and a halt in seasonal hiring looms with businesses closing their doors. The organisation said: 'Businesses are shutting down and the production potential of both today and tomorrow is vanishing. So much for self-sufficiency rates; so much for food sovereignty. 'Shortages are to be expected in stores in the short term, as imports cannot make up the deficit. A new commercial paradigm is taking shape - one defined by scarcity.'  But the extreme weather has not just impacted fruit and vegetable production. Dairy and poultry farms have also been impacted.  The heatwave has so far killed 700,000 chickens in France - and surviving chickens are laying fewer or smaller eggs, or none whatsoever.  'We had never experienced this. This is unheard of,' poultry farmer Frédéric Chartier told France3.