One of the worst droughts in recent decades is devastating southern European crops. Just this year, the damage is estimated to more than 1 billion euros.In Italy, around 30% less rain has fallen this year, compared with last year. Grains have been particularly badly hit by the lack of water and the intense heat.
The drought now threatens to reduce cereal production in Italy and parts of Spain to its lowest level in at least 20 years, and hit other regional crops including olives and almonds.
Some farmers said they won't even harvest this year, because the overall result would be so low it wouldn't be worth the money.