Drought impacts trigger different agricultural relief measures in Hungary and Slovakia

Agricultural authorities in Hungary and Slovakia are addressing the impacts of severe drought on farming operations, though the level of financial support varies by country.

In Hungary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Economy is introducing new concessions for farmers dealing with exceptional drought. A legislative amendment will allow for the retroactive reporting of damage for silage corn. This measure enables producers to harvest silage corn immediately to prevent further yield loss without adhering to the standard 15-day waiting period between harvesting and damage reporting. Farmers must submit a declaration of professional responsibility and provide georeferenced photos via the mobilGAZDA application by August 15, 2026.

In Slovakia, the situation remains critical, with approximately 59 percent of the country experiencing exceptional drought, particularly in the southern and central regions. While Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč has announced eight measures to assist farmers, he noted that the ministry will not compensate for fodder shortages caused by the drought. Takáč criticized the European Commission, stating that EU reserve funds intended for such crises were redistributed toward fertilizer support, leaving Slovakia with only 6.5 million euros from a 400 million euro package.