EU Parliament adopts measures to aid farmers amid fertilizer price surge

European farmers are grappling with a significant surge in fertilizer costs, exacerbating financial pressures on the agricultural sector. Nitrogen fertilizer prices have climbed by 40% from December 2025 to April 2026, following a previous 62% increase between 2020 and 2025. This escalating expense, partly driven by energy price hikes and the Middle East crisis, threatens production and food supply stability across the European Union.

In response, the European Parliament has approved temporary measures aimed at providing crucial support to farmers. These measures seek to help agricultural producers maintain production, offset rising costs, and guarantee a stable food supply for EU citizens. The urgency of the situation was highlighted by Marko Vešligaj, the sole Croatian member of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture, who emphasized fertilizer's significant impact on production costs and consumer prices for staples like bread and pasta.

"Fertilizer is one of the biggest costs for most farmers," Vešligaj stated, noting the particular impact on small family farms and producers of permanent crops such as olives and grapes. He urged national governments, specifically the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, to expedite the implementation of support measures to prevent disruptions in production.

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Fertilizer is one of the biggest costs for most farmers. For example, the prices of bread and pasta for consumers largely depend on the prices of fertilizer, which is one of the key inputs in agriculture. The rise in fertilizer prices has particularly affected small family farms and producers of permanent crops such as olive growers and winegrowers.

The adopted package includes targeted amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Key provisions involve a new liquidity support program for crisis situations under rural development, the possibility of earlier direct payments to farmers, and greater flexibility for member states in allocating direct payment funds for 2027. The measures also propose co-financing up to 50% of additional costs incurred due to fertilizer price increases from March 1, 2026, with an 80% co-financing option for farmers committed to reducing fertilizer use.

Temporary extraordinary support will be disbursed per hectare, based on average annual consumption or actual costs, considering sector-specific needs. The European Commission will later define the maximum direct payment amounts, while member states must amend their CAP strategic plans to implement these new support measures.

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We are aware of the urgency, so we considered the proposal under an expedited procedure so that member states can implement support measures as soon as possible. I therefore call on the Ministry of Agriculture to be swift in adopting measures, faster than we are used to from them, and to provide assistance to farmers as soon as possible so that production is not reduced or interrupted.