EU member states have endorsed the Commission’s proposal to mobilize €21.5 million from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary.
These are those who were affected by adverse weather events during the 2025 growing season.
They will respectively receive €7.4 million, €3.3 million and €10.8 million of exceptional support, which can be complemented by up to 200% of national funds.
Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen (pictured) said: “When droughts trouble the soil in Bulgaria and Hungary, or frost and rain ruin crops in Estonia, it’s not just fields that suffer.
“It’s families and the very future of our farming communities. The Commissions stands by farmers’ side in times of crises.
“This is why we allocate €21.5 million to three countries as support to their agricultural community. Investing in risk management and insurances is essential to deal with more frequent extreme events induced by climate change.
“We must act now to build a future where extreme weather doesn’t mean ruined harvests,” added Hansen.
Throughout 2025, farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary witnessed significant damages and suffered economic losses due to adverse climatic events and natural disasters.
Bulgaria faced severe drought and heatwaves from mid-June to late August, which significantly reduced sunflower and maize production.
In Estonia, spring frost followed by a cold, wet and unstable growing season harmed crops such as spring wheat, barley, peas, rapeseed, potatoes and fruit and vegetables.
Finally, in Hungary, extreme heat and water shortages between June and August caused major heat stress, affecting crops including sweetcorn, melons, sorghum and maize.
The national authorities must distribute this aid by 30 September 2026 and ensure that farmers are the ultimate beneficiaries. The three Member States concerned will also have to notify the Commission about the details of the measures’ implementation.
Details to be notified 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.
Following the 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 so that the three concerned Member States can implement it without delay.
