# European agricultural policy and drought response

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-agricultural-policy-and-drought-response
> Updated: 2026-09-28T12:33:00.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3.

Agricultural policy in Europe is increasingly focused on addressing drought-related crises and long-term sector sustainability. In Hungary, a new decree introduced an “automatic vis maior” mechanism to assist farmers following a period of extraordinary drought between July and August 2026.

Recent assessments highlight the scale of the crisis, with the European Commission estimating that drought-related losses in the EU for 2026 could reach between 14 and 17 billion euros. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) predicts significant yield reductions for key crops, including soybean (-15%), fresh maize (-14%), sugar beets (-11%), grain maize (-8%), and potatoes (-7%). These environmental challenges are compounded by rising costs for fuel and fertilizers, driven by Middle East conflicts and global market volatility.

In response to these pressures, the Polish government has introduced an emergency aid program, utilizing 66.633 million euros from EU funds alongside national budget support to provide diesel and fertilizer subsidies. Specifically, the program includes a subsidy of 0.52 PLN per liter of diesel for purchases made between March 1 and August 31, 2026, and a maximum fertilizer subsidy of 500 PLN per hectare. The Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARiMR) is scheduled to accept applications from October 1 to October 23, 2026. This follows a sharp decline in agricultural sentiment in Poland, where the General Statistical Office (GUS) reported the indicator for the change in the general situation of agricultural holdings (WZOS) fell to -41.1 in the first half of 2026.

Meanwhile, Slovak Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč has intensified calls for the European Commission to replenish the agricultural crisis fund, noting that current funds are exhausted and immediate aid is required to address rising feed costs affecting livestock production.

## Claims

- The European Commission estimates drought-related losses in the EU for 2026 at between 14 and 17 billion euros. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The General Statistical Office (GUS) reported that the indicator for the change in the general situation of agricultural holdings (WZOS) fell to -41.1 in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Joint Research Centre predicts significant yield decreases for soybean, fresh maize, sugar beets, grain maize, and potatoes. (single source)
- The Polish government has prepared a support program providing 0.52 PLN per liter of diesel for purchases made between March 1 and August 31, 2026. (single source)
- The maximum fertilizer subsidy in Poland is set at 500 PLN per hectare. (single source)
- The Polish aid program for fertilizers and fuel is funded by 66.633 million euros from EU funds. (single source)
- The current EU agricultural reserve stands at 450 million euros per year. (single source)
- ARiMR will accept applications for agricultural support from October 1 to October 23, 2026. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: European agriculture faces severe drought losses and rising production costs

European agriculture faces massive losses from drought, with EU damages estimated at €14-17 billion. Poland is responding with fuel and fertilizer subsidies to combat declining profitability and crop yields.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-agriculture-ministers-discuss-cap-reforms-and-drought-relief

### 2026-09-28: European Parliament and EU officials address policy and agricultural crises

The European Parliament discusses monetary policy, cancer prevention, and Erasmus+, while Slovak officials urge the EU to provide urgent drought relief for farmers.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-parliament-and-eu-officials-address-policy-and-agricultural-crises

### 2026-09-08: Agricultural policy shifts focus on drought relief and innovation

EU agricultural ministers meet in Dublin to discuss innovation and future funding, while Hungary implements automatic drought relief for farmers following the 2026 drought.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/agricultural-policy-shifts-focus-on-drought-relief-and-innovation

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Cite as: European agricultural policy and drought response. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-agricultural-policy-and-drought-response