PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 6, 2025
This year’s drought is taking a heavy toll on Maine’s apple crop. Production is down 50% for the state’s biggest apple growers. The production of wholesale-ready apples is down about 60%. Maine’s wild blueberry growers reported a 31% production decline and $28 million in losses. Maine is entering its fourth month of drought. It has caused wells to run dry, rivers and lakes to run low, and the number of wildfires to increase. It is also driving up water and electricity costs for farmers struggling to keep the fields and livestock watered, especially on hot days. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins this week to offer disaster assistance to Maine’s specialty crop and livestock producers to offset damage caused by extreme weather, high production costs and labor shortages.