Some farmers in Europe are shutting operations and reducing production because of the energy crunch, adding to the global food crisis

The global food supply is already in a crisis because of high energy prices and some European farmers are winding down production this winter.

Europe is dependent on Russia for natural gas and could face an energy shortage this winter. The EU is planning a full Russian oil ban this winter due to technical issues caused by sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. Even before the war, natural-gas prices were already on the rise because of the rebound in demand.

As energy is required throughout the food production process, farmers and food producers are feeling the pinch from red-hot prices

Nordic Greens Trelleborg, a top Swedish tomato producer, said it would not be planting a winter crop this year because it would be losing money. Nordic Greens locked in tomato prices earlier in the year when electricity prices were cheaper. The company has never suspended production before.

According to the Financial Times, the dairy and bakery sectors are the most affected by the surge in fuel prices. Butter and milk powder prices were up 80% and 45%, respectively, at the end of August, according to the European Commission.

In the Netherlands, some greenhouses that regulate temperatures for off-season growing are shutting down due to high fuel prices, according to a report. The Netherlands is the second largest agricultural exporter after the US, so a reduction in farm output would hurt shipments of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

The industry may be going back in time this year because of the energy crisis.

"It's like we'll go back in time with Spain producing in wintertime and the northern European countries producing their own vegetables in the summer," van Rijswick said. Maybe that's the way it should be.