Italy's CAP Advance Payments Boost Liquidity for Farmers
For the first time, the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will provide Italian farmers with payments up to three months in advance, beginning on 26 July instead of the usual 16 October. The advance covers up to 75 % of direct payments – higher than the typical 70 % – and includes the livestock sector, which had previously been excluded. The disbursement, exceeding €1 billion, aims to ease the financial strain caused by rising production costs, fertilizer price hikes and climate‑related challenges.
Coldiretti highlighted the impact on mountain agriculture in Valle d'Aosta, noting that the early funds will “provide immediate liquidity to farms in even the smallest and most complex territories.” In Campania, the regional agricultural confederation welcomed the advance, stressing that it offers a “concrete breath of fresh air” for farms facing higher energy and raw‑material costs. Both organisations called for continued national co‑financing and further measures to sustain the sector.
The initiative also coincides with stricter controls on counterfeit food and the use of advanced tracing technologies, reinforcing the integrity of Italian agricultural products.