€2.8 million in aid for Slovenian farmers: Only ...

In response to severe weather-related damage and economic losses suffered by farmers across Europe last year and during the first half of this year, the European Union has allocated over 69 million euros in agricultural support funds. This includes 2.8 million euros specifically designated for Slovenian apple growers. The decision was made following an agreement reached today by the European Commission, which aims to provide targeted financial assistance to affected agricultural sectors.

The allocation of these funds comes after a series of extreme weather events that significantly impacted farming activities in several member states. In Portugal, a storm named "Kristin" caused heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding in January and February of this year, leading to substantial damage to farmland and infrastructure. Similarly, Romania experienced severe droughts and repeated heatwaves between June and August of last year, affecting the yield of corn and sunflowers. Cyprus faced prolonged dry conditions and extreme temperatures in May of last year, resulting in significant losses in cereal production and increased feed costs for livestock. Croatia endured low temperatures, excessive rain, and drought conditions during spring and summer of 2025, which negatively affected fruit growers, grape producers, and sugar beet cultivators. In Slovenia, early spring frosts have damaged apple harvests.

Each country will receive financial aid based on specific criteria tailored to their agricultural challenges. For instance, in Portugal, eligible recipients include crop producers, olive oil producers, fruit and vegetable growers, winemakers, and livestock farmers. On Croatia, eligible recipients are plum, chestnut, wine, lucerne, and sugar beet producers, as well as beekeepers and livestock farmers. In Slovenia, only apple growers qualify for the financial assistance. In Cyprus, eligible applicants range from citrus, banana, fig, pomegranate, and prickly pear producers to wine and olive oil producers, cereal and fodder plant growers, beekeepers, and livestock farmers. In Romania, the aid targets sunflower and corn producers.

National authorities in each member state must ensure that farmers receive the financial support as quickly as possible. The distribution of funds must be completed by February 28, 2027. Following this phase, member states are required to inform the European Commission about the specifics of implementing these measures.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023–2027, there is also a provision for activating the agricultural reserve amounting to at least 450 million euros annually to manage market disruptions or exceptional events affecting the production or distribution of agricultural products.

The European Commission emphasized the importance of strengthening tools for risk management and promoting their broader use throughout the EU. It also highlighted the need for proactive measures to address underlying causes and improve the resilience of farms against increasingly frequent adverse weather conditions. This initiative reflects a growing awareness within the EU of the necessity to adapt agricultural policies to climate change impacts and enhance the sustainability of farming practices across member states.