Greek agriculture faces fertilizer costs and livestock disease

The Greek agricultural sector is facing significant challenges due to rising fertilizer costs and a severe disease outbreak among livestock.

In the grain sector, high energy and fuel prices are driving up fertilizer costs, creating uncertainty for the 2026–2027 growing season. This is particularly critical for durum wheat producers, who must decide on planting areas and input levels amidst a lack of clear subsidy frameworks. While the European Union has allocated a 540 million euro package for fertilizer industry support, with 20.8 million euros designated for Greece, farmers are seeking clarity on whether future subsidies will cover purchases made retroactively from September 2026.

Simultaneously, the Greek goat and sheep industry is in a state of crisis due to Sheep and Goat Peste (SGP). The Geotechnical Chamber of Greece has issued an urgent warning, noting that between August 2024 and September 2026, approximately 495,918 animals have died across 2,271 outbreaks. This epidemic threatens the sustainability of livestock farming and the production of protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses, such as feta. Experts are calling for immediate government action, including enhanced veterinary services and the possibility of official vaccination programs.