The Farmers’ Force Association asserts that the cereal and oilseed sector is going through a deep crisis, exacerbated in the last five months by the rising cost of fuel and fertilizers, the stagnation of wheat prices, and the lack of subsidies. In this context, farmers are asking the Government for a set of urgent measures to prevent the situation from worsening, reports IPN.

According to the association, the price of diesel has increased by approximately 70%, and farmers are facing a fuel shortage that threatens the agricultural work of the summer-autumn season. At the same time, the costs of fertilizers have risen by 35-40%, while the price of wheat on the domestic market remained unchanged in July and fell in the last week by 30-40 cents per kilogram.

The Farmers’ Force asserts that vegetable producers have been left without subsidies this year, and arrears for 2025 have not been paid. The Association claims that the new Agricultural Strategic Program does not provide direct payments for cereal and oilseed crops, while small and medium farmers are affected by the disasters of recent years and the pressure of creditors.

Among the measures requested are maintaining the current VAT rate for agricultural production, reintroducing the licensing of grain and oilseed imports, ensuring diesel stocks for the agricultural campaign, checking the wheat purchase market, and refunding the diesel excise for small and medium farms.

In a response to IPN, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry stated that the situation in the sector is influenced by internal and external factors, including developments in regional and international markets. The institution maintains that it monitors the situation and analyzes, together with the responsible authorities, any necessary measures.

Regarding the arrears on subsidies, the ministry specifies that these will be gradually paid off, and the new Strategic Program of Agricultural Policy will not allow the accumulation of new debts, payments being made within the limit of available resources.