Brussels – On Friday, the European Commission approved a proposal to allocate nearly 50 million euros from the agricultural reserve to assist farmers in the fruit and vegetable sector across Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania who have recently experienced significant losses due to adverse weather conditions, as stated in a press release from the Commission.
Once member states approve the proposal, funds will be distributed as follows: 7.4 million euros to Bulgaria, 10.8 million euros to Hungary, 4.2 million euros to Latvia, 1.1 million euros to Lithuania, 14.8 million euros to Poland, and 11.5 million euros to Romania. These nations can also enhance this EU support with an additional 200% from their national funds.
In all six countries, late frosts, often accompanied by hail or heavy rains, have devastated a substantial portion of fruit, vegetable, nut, and seed crops.
“This aid will provide some relief to farmers who have faced crop and income losses this year,” stated the Commissioner for Agriculture and the Food Sector, Christophe Hansen.
To ensure the effectiveness of this exceptional measure, it is crucial that beneficiaries receive financial support swiftly. Payments to farmers for the emergency aid provided to Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Romania are expected to be completed by April 30, 2026.
Within the agricultural reserve, the current Common Agricultural Policy (2023-2027) allocates at least 450 million euros annually to assist farmers in navigating market disruptions or exceptional events affecting production or distribution. The Commission plans to double the crisis reserve in its proposal for the next CAP (2028-2034) to bolster the resilience of European farmers and the agri-food sector against market disruptions. (10.10.2025)
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