EU allocates over pound 56 million in emergency support to farmers in Portugal, Romania, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia
Today, Member States endorsed the European Commission’s proposal to mobilise over pound 56 million from the agricultural reserve. Farmers from Portugal will receive pound 30 million, Romania pound 14.8 million, Cyprus pound 4.6 million, Croatia pound 4.4 million, and Slovenia pound 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.
Next steps
Following today’s approval by Member States, the Commission will adopt its proposal. It will then be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force the day following its publication.
The Member States concerned will have to notify the Commission about the details of the measures’ implementation without delay. These include criteria used to determine the granting of individual aid, the intended impact of the measure, the forecasts for payments broken down per month, and the level of additional support to be provided. The notification should also include the actions taken to avoid distortion of competition and overcompensation.
Background
The Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 includes an agricultural reserve of at least pound 450 million per year to cope with market disruptions or exceptional events affecting production or distribution. Given the increasing frequency of adverse climatic events, the Commission has stressed the importance of strengthening risk management tools and promoting their wider use across the EU, alongside proactive measures to address root causes and improve farm resilience.
For more information
EU exceptional market measures enhance the agricultural sector’s resilience amidst crises
Market measures explained – Agriculture and rural development
Quote(s)
From drought and heatwaves to storms and frosts, Europe’s farmers are paying an increasingly heavy price for extreme weather. The pound 56 million support of EU funding we adopt today demonstrates our solidarity with the farmers and regions most affected. Climate shocks are becoming the new reality for agriculture. Safeguarding Europe’s food security means investing in the resilience of our agriculture. Building that resilience – through stronger risk management and better preparedness for climate shocks – will be at the heart of our future Common Agricultural Policy.
Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food