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Belgium’s Scorching Heatwave: Farmers Bear the Brunt as Livestock Struggle

A Week of Unrelenting Heat

Belgium is baking under a relentless week-long heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 30°C—and while humans seek refuge in cold drinks and shade, the country’s farm animals are suffering the most. Authorities have raised the alarm to its highest level, sounding the alarm for livestock along the Dutch border, where cows and pigs bear the brunt of the extreme conditions.

Dairy and Meat Production Plummet

Farmers expected declines in milk and meat output but can’t yet quantify the losses—figures are still rolling in. One farmer near Bocholt is doing everything he can: fans, sprinklers, shaded pens—yet his cows lie less, eat less, and produce less milk. His pigs grow 150 grams slower per day, a slowdown that adds up to real financial strain.

"The heat drains about 10–15% of my daily income—around €150 to €200," he says. "Every heatwave feels like a surprise bill that never goes away."

A Europe-Wide Crisis

This isn’t just a Belgian problem. France recently lost hundreds of thousands of chickens to extreme heat, while cattle across the continent drink more water, eat less feed, and produce less milk. Strangely, crops—fueled by recent rains—are faring better than livestock, shifting the economic burden onto animal farmers.

The Future: Cooler Barns or Higher Costs?

Experts warn that heatwaves will become more frequent, forcing farmers to invest in stronger cooling systems inside barns. Currently, such systems run only a few days a year, but trends suggest they may soon become a year-round necessity. The critical question remains: Can farmers pass these costs onto consumers, or will they have to absorb them themselves, deepening their already thin margins?