Photo - Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Unsplash
The EU Member States have endorsed the European Commission's proposal to mobilise over €56 million from the agricultural reserve. Farmers from Portugal will receive €30 million, Romania €14.8 million, Cyprus €4.6 million, Croatia €4.4 million and Slovenia €2.8 million.
These funds will support farmers affected by significant damage from adverse climatic events. The support will be directed at fruit, nut, vine, olive and arable crop farmers, including mixed livestock producers. The allocated budget can be complemented by up to 200% of national funds.
Throughout 2025 and in the first half of 2026, farmers in those countries witnessed significant damages and suffered economic losses due to adverse climatic events and natural disasters.
Portugal was hit by Storm Kristin in January and February 2026, with heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding causing damage and destroying agricultural land and infrastructure. This resulted in considerable losses for agricultural production.
In Romania, severe drought and repeated heatwaves between June and August 2025 affected maize and sunflower yields. Cyprus experienced prolonged drought and extreme heat from May 2025, leading to major losses in crop production, as well as higher livestock feed costs. In Croatia, spring and summer 2025 brought freezing temperatures, as well as excessive rainfall and drought, damaging crops such as fruits, vines and sugar beet. Slovenia experienced spring frosts that damaged apple production.
Eligible agricultural sectors and crops for support include -
- In Portugal: arable crops, olive oil and table olives, fruit and vegetables, wine and livestock;
- In Croatia: plums, hazelnuts, vineyards, alfalfa and sugar beet;
- In Cyprus: citrus fruits, bananas, figs, pomegranates, prickly pears, vineyards, olive oil and table olives, cereals, fodder crops, apiculture, and livestock (bovines, sheep and goats);
- In Romania: sunflower and maize;
- In Slovenia: apples.
National authorities must ensure that farmers rapidly receive the support and aid must be distributed by 28 February 2027 at the latest.
