The Minister of Agriculture said today that only in 2027 “there will be more than 162 million euros for support” to farmers to offset the rise in production costs and restore competitiveness vis-à-vis Spain.
“What I told you is very clear. We have increased farmers’ income, per year, by more than 200 million euros. It was timely to do so, despite criticisms from the Socialist Party and Chega. In 2027, but with approval now [State Budget] – and we cannot bring this forward because it is a possibility that the European regulation gives us –, there will be more than 162 million euros, a 10% increase, for income support,” he stated.
About 150 agroforestry association leaders demanded today from the Government support to compensate for the rise in production costs and recover competitiveness vis-à-vis Spain, at a rally outside the Assembly of the Republic (AR), in Lisbon.
A delegation led by the president of the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP) went to Parliament to demand from the Government compensation measures for the sector amounting to 140 million euros to create competitive conditions for the sector.
For the confederation led by Álvaro Mendonça e Moura, this is an “indispensable response to offset the worsening of production costs and to mitigate the competitiveness lost” vis-à-vis the neighboring country.
José Manuel Fernandes reminded that this year the country lived through “a train of storms” that forced “an additional effort of 250 million euros in the State Budget.”
“We also had European funds worth 200 million. I didn’t even mention the credit lines, with our guarantees in 2026, this year, of more than 430 million euros,” José Manuel Fernandes underscored.
The minister noted that the difference with Spain lies, notably and above all, in agricultural diesel.
“There we also gave a subsidy of 10 cents per liter, totaling 25 million euros. Sometimes people say, ‘oh, but the Government of the Socialist Party, at the time of the Ukraine War, gave more support.’ That is false. They gave the supports a year later and, we are giving them in an immediate way. We are doing the maximum,” he argued.
The Minister of Agriculture said that the Government has “an objective that, if not achieved, penalizes everyone.”
“We aim to have a deficit close to zero. And we will even have a surplus. And if we do not do this, then interest rates would rise and the fact that we have a fifth consecutive positive rating is important for us,” he specified.
The governor noted that the Government “is doing the maximum” and that he understands there are farmers in difficulty.”
“Unfortunately, those who are in greater difficulty are the ones who have the least voice. Those who have seen their incomes tripled are the ones who, after all, protest the most, but my duty is to attend to everyone. To attend everyone according to the specifics [of each region]. And never forget the smallest,” he concluded.
