Climate and soils in the Tournai region

The Kain area has a temperate oceanic climate: winters are generally mild, summers moderately warm, and rainfall occurs throughout the year. Recent years, however, have been quite variable. In 2022 and 2025 in particular, spring and summer brought dry or even very dry spells, with significant consequences for crops, even though total annual rainfall may seem sufficient. By contrast, 2024 was exceptionally wet.

In the Tournai region, the soils are dominated by wind-blown loess loams, which are generally deep and well suited to arable farming. This loess cover is not uniform, however: there are also sandy loam soils, especially towards the north, as well as variations linked to the thickness of the loess and the nature of the subsoil. Along the Scheldt and its tributaries, the valley floors have alluvial soils of variable texture, sometimes clayey and wetter. Relief and drainage therefore account for much of the difference observed between fields.

The most characteristic crops of the region are cereals, especially wheat and winter barley, along with sugar beet, potatoes and flax. Maize is also grown, and depending on the farm, field vegetables such as onions, carrots, parsnips, beans and spinach. Grassland also covers some of the land, particularly in the wetter areas.