European heatwave cuts Belgian potato and dairy output, Asia exports at risk

A summer of temperatures near 40°C in southern Belgium has cut cattle fertility, raised mortality and reduced milk output by about 5 per cent, with farmers reporting income falls of up to 40 per cent. Smaller potatoes and apples threaten Belgium's processed-fries exports, of which East and Southeast Asia take 8 per cent, while France's corn harvest is forecast to drop 35 per cent. Europe's dairy industry says supply to Asia should hold for now.