Romania risks losing more than 5.1 billion euros in agricultural funding, a figure that could reach approximately 6.5 billion euros under a broader scenario in the next financial period, according to estimates the Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation (AAC) published on Wednesday.

The organisation announced the launch on its website of a dedicated page on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2028-2034, featuring data and estimates on the impact of budget cuts on agriculture, the rural economy and Romania's food security.

According to AAC estimates, Romania risks a reduction of more than 5.1 billion euros in agricultural funding, which could reach approximately 6.5 billion euros under a broader scenario in the next financial period. The effects could extend beyond the agricultural sector: between 825 million euros and 1 billion euros a year could be lost to local economies, while between 10,000 and 13,000 jobs could be at risk.

The Alliance representatives also point out that payments in Romania could fall to around 110 euros per hectare, compared with the current average of 221 euros per hectare, representing the maximum possible payment including coupled support and all eco-schemes, and the level of 241 euros per hectare that should have been reached under 100% external convergence, in line with the commitments made by the EU when Romania joined.

'A 50% cut in the budget for subsidies under Pillar I, administered by the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA), could occur, alongside a drastic reduction in the investment budget under Pillar II, administered by the Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR). The consequences affect us all. Agriculture means food, jobs, investment, economic activity in rural communities and raw materials for the food industry. Reduced funding could undermine the ability of farmers and cooperatives to produce, invest and cope with drought, high costs and foreign competition. Ultimately, Romania's ability to ensure competitive agri-food production is also at stake,' AAC said.

Experts have been warning about these risks since July 2025 through official letters, press releases, open letters and initiatives at national and European level. The launch of this webpage continues efforts to bring the figures and implications of the negotiations to public attention before final decisions are taken.

'The Alliance supports a distinct, adequate and predictable CAP budget of at least 443 billion euros at EU level for 2028-2034, with 15% of the budget earmarked for agriculture. In addition, two-thirds of the allocations for the mid-term review of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) should be included in the CAP budget and used to support farmers and agricultural cooperatives, both through income support and through investment and rural development.

'It is important for farmers, authorities and the Romanian public as a whole to understand now what is being negotiated and what the consequences could be. Once the EU budget has been set, the scope for reversing decisions and recovering lost funding will be much more limited. The future of agriculture cannot be treated as an issue concerning farmers alone, because its effects are felt throughout the economy and by every consumer,' the press release reads. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Badea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)