Water Scarcity on Fields - Farmers Fear Yield Losses - Saxony-Anhalt's drought crisis threatens crops as soil moisture plummets

Saxony-Anhalt is facing a severe soil drought that threatens this year's harvest. Rainfall in 2025 fell sharply, with Magdeburg recording just 377 litres per square metre—far below the previous year's total. Farmers and hydrologists warn that without heavy spring rain, crops could suffer from drought stress and disease.

The drought began in late 2024, when precipitation dropped well below average. From September to November 2025, rainfall was patchy, and December and January brought even less moisture than usual. February 2026 saw slightly above-average rain, but it failed to replenish the deep dryness in the soil.

Monitoring by the State Office for Flood Protection shows a worrying divide in water reserves. Deeper soil layers have retained some moisture, but the top layers have dried out rapidly due to high evaporation and scant rain. The worst-affected areas include central Saxony-Anhalt, the southern region, and the rain shadow of the Harz mountains.

The Farmers' Association reports that plant-available water in fields has now fallen below critical levels. If spring rainfall remains low, crops will struggle to grow, leaving them weaker and more prone to pests. The situation has left many farmers preparing for potential losses.

Without significant rain in the coming weeks, the drought could worsen. Soil moisture is already too low for healthy crop development, and further dry spells would deepen the crisis. Authorities and farmers are closely watching weather forecasts, as the state's agricultural output hangs in the balance.