Hungary will receive US$11.7 million (EUR 10.8 million) in aid from the European Union to support farmers affected by spring frost damage, the Ministry of Agriculture announced. The funding follows lobbying efforts by the Hungarian agricultural sector.
The aid will be available to grape and fruit growers whose proven yield loss exceeds 30 per cent. According to Minister of Agriculture István Nagy, this payment will be in addition to the usual damage mitigation allowance.
Spring frost caused severe losses in Hungarian orchards, with some areas reporting crop damage of up to 90 per cent. In consultation with sector organizations, the Ministry of Agriculture had earlier allowed the partial advance payment of damage mitigation allowances. Under this scheme, US$3.9 million (HUF 1.45 billion) was distributed to the most affected farmers in August.
The newly announced EU support will come from the agricultural crisis reserve, which seven member states, including Hungary, accessed following a decision in Brussels last week. The US$11.7 million available to Hungary must be paid out to beneficiaries who suffered frost damage by April 30, 2026. Farmers who meet the conditions will also continue to receive assistance from the national damage mitigation fund.
Minister Nagy recalled that by May 31, more than 6,000 damage reports covering over 37,000 hectares had been submitted through the electronic reporting system.
Source: Hungary Today