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

Farmers in Saxony-Anhalt are facing severe soil drought, with warnings of long-term damage to crops. While some northern and eastern areas, including parts of the Harz, still hold slightly better moisture levels, most regions remain critically dry. Experts say the situation could worsen without steady spring rainfall.

Central Saxony-Anhalt, the Harz mountains, and southern areas are suffering from extremely low soil moisture. Field capacity—the water available for plants—has fallen below the levels needed for healthy crop growth. Data from the German Weather Service and the Federal Environment Agency shows that over the past five years, soil moisture in these regions has dropped by 15–20%, far more than in Bavaria (8–12%) or Baden-Württemberg (10–15%). The Harz rain shadow, in particular, has far less water than other parts of the state.

Rainfall has been scarce for months. Magdeburg recorded just 377 litres per square metre in 2025, down from over 550 litres the previous year. Even February's rain did little to ease the dry conditions. Farmers' Association officials report that reserves remain dangerously low across most farmland.

If spring does not bring consistent rain, the drought will deepen. This could lead to smaller harvests and weaker crops, increasing risks for local agriculture.

The drought in Saxony-Anhalt shows no signs of easing, with soil moisture still far below normal. Without significant rainfall soon, yields may drop, and crops could become more vulnerable. Farmers and officials are closely monitoring the situation as the growing season approaches.