New Jersey declared a State of Emergency on May 20, 2026, and requested a federal Disaster designation after freezing temperatures between April 19 and 22 caused widespread agricultural damage across the state during a critical growing stage. Early estimates place losses at more than USD 300 million.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation for all counties after below-freezing temperatures on April 21, 2026, damaged specialty crops across the state. Early estimates place possible economic losses for Pennsylvania’s specialty-crop industry at USD 150 million to USD 200 million.
Over USD 3 billion worth of crop losses were reported across Florida due to freeze conditions triggered by winter storms Ezra and Gianna, between December 30, 2025 and February 4, 2026. The freeze affected 66 of the state’s 67 counties and impacted multiple agricultural sectors during peak production periods
Heavy snowfall affecting Japan since late January 2026 has left at least 46 people dead and more than 550 injured while causing widespread agricultural damage across the Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture. Snowfall reached 148 cm (58 inches) in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, in January, breaking branches in apple orchards, collapsing vinyl greenhouses, and burying farm roads that remain inaccessible in some areas. Authorities say the full extent of agricultural losses may not be known until snow cover recedes.
Prolonged rainfall and cross-border inflows have triggered a state of emergency across northeastern Greece, where severe flooding along the Evros River in February 2026 submerged tens of thousands of acres of farmland and destroyed wheat, barley, lentil, and alfalfa crops. No fatalities have been confirmed, but authorities warn of extensive economic losses for the region’s farm sector.
A new threat to bees is on the move in Europe. Tropilaelaps mercedesae, a parasitic mite, is emerging as potentially even more devastating than the “worst bee killer,” the Varroa destructor. Parasitic mite infestations are now threatening economies worldwide as they wipe out massive bee populations, sending ripples of losses across multiple sectors.
The world’s worst honey bee parasite, the Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite, was detected in South Australia for the first time, authorities confirmed on September 3, 2025. The detection occurred in a managed hive from a Queensland consignment located near Pooginook in the Riverland region.
Prolonged drought and extreme weather events during the 2024/25 agricultural year have caused crop losses of up to 85% in parts of Türkiye, according to the Türkiye Agricultural Chambers Union (TZOB). The impacts are most severe in Central and Southeastern Anatolia, while national output of key cereals, pulses, and vegetables is expected to decline significantly.
Romania’s farmlands have taken a hard hit from a wave of violent spring storms this week, with hail and flooding wiping out large portions of this season’s crops. As temperatures plunge and weather alerts remain in place, the Environment Minister has warned of a possible year without Romanian-grown produce. Urban areas saw dramatic scenes, but the lasting scars are on the fields.
Recent floods in Queensland, Australia, have killed or displaced more than 144 000 livestock, across more than 500 000 km² (193 000 mi2) of land. The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall and Cyclone Alfred, has also damaged essential infrastructure, affecting farmers and markets.
