Ardèche: a historically low chestnut harvest expected in 2026

The Ardèche chestnut harvest is on track to be historically low and should not exceed 2,000 tonnes for this 2026 season, compared to 5,000 tonnes in a normal year, Drôme Ardèche learned on Tuesday September 29 from the National Union of Chestnut Producers.

The heatwave and drought caused the trees to suffer during the spring and summer. At the end of September 2026, the leaves of chestnut trees turn yellow or brown. Some bugs that enclose the chestnuts in turn change color, the chestnuts dry out and no longer grow. The fruits will be particularly small. Chestnut trees are not used to withstanding such a long drought. Very little rain has fallen since May. There was also very strong heat, above 40° in full sun, which damaged the foliage.

Ink disease affects chestnut trees

In addition to the weather conditions, some Ardèche chestnut trees suffer from ink disease which weakens the roots of the tree. The chestnut tree manages to tolerate this disease, but when very high temperatures and drought are added, it is no longer able to maintain its fruits, its survival is at stake.

“The trees are completely dying out,” notes the vice-president of the National Union of Chestnut Producers, Daniel Vernol, a chestnut grower in South Ardèche, interviewed by ICI Drôme Ardèche. Despite a harvest which is likely to be very low, the processors who make chestnut cream in particular should buy a very large part of the fruit.