Europe is experiencing its most scorching summer in recent years, leading to the smallest potato crop in several years, with the European Union's potato production expected to reach its lowest level since 2018 due to drought in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. This situation is causing concern over further price hikes for foods like French fries, with experts predicting that the cost could double by 2024. International food companies like McDonald's have already increased prices in response to rising raw material costs.