Mafra, Portugal, March 25, 2026 (Lusa) – The Portuguese minister of agriculture gave assurances on Wednesday that there would be money to compensate farmers for the losses they suffered due to the recent bad weather, in response to the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP) which demanded more support.
"If it is necessary to reinforce compensation, we will reinforce it. At this moment, given the applications that are coming in, there is not yet that need," José Manuel Fernandes told journalists on the sidelines of an event at the Tapada Nacional de Mafra, in the Lisbon district.
According to CAP, the agricultural sector declared losses of around €500 million due to the bad weather at the end of January and beginning of February, which still require verification, according to the latest investigation it conducted.
The minister clarified that this is an "estimate that drops significantly when you go out in the field," adding that only after the applications are approved "will we know how close it is to reality," insisting that "at this moment there is no lack of financial resources."
The confederation lamented that the government, a month and a half after the 'train' of storms affected the country, has not moved forward with specific support for the agricultural sector.
"There isn't even the presentation of applications for support. A survey [of the damage] was done, but there are no deadlines, amounts, or rules," said the secretary-general of CAP, Luís Mira.
According to CAP, the sector only benefited from extraordinary support of up to €10,000 per applicant from the local councils declared to be in a state of calamity.
José Manuel Fernandes clarified on Wednesday that applications up to €10,000 are being verified, and the support is being paid.
The Ministry has applications open until 15 April for irrigation associations and a €40-million tender open until 30 April. Only after these deadlines will the applications be analysed and support granted.
"That €40-million support from the PEPAC [Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy] can only reach the ground after 30 April, it cannot arrive sooner, because if I close it earlier, I will exclude the overwhelming majority of people who are still going to apply," the minister clarified.
José Manuel Fernandes anticipates that potential applicants may request an extension of the deadlines, considering the time it takes to obtain quotes and prepare applications.
On February 12, the Ministry of Agriculture informed Lusa that 4,208 declarations of loss due to bad weather had been submitted, totalling €303 million.
At the end of January, the ministry led by José Manuel Fernandes announced a measure to restore productive potential due to the impact of the storms, for investments between €5,000 and 400,000.
The support rate can reach 100% up to a maximum of €10,000.
At least 19 people have died in Portugal since 28 January following the passage of storms Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta, which caused hundreds of injuries and left many homeless or displaced. More than half of the deaths were recorded during recovery efforts.
The storms, which hit the mainland for three weeks, caused the total or partial destruction of thousands of homes, businesses, and equipment, as well as fallen trees and structures, power, water, and communication cuts, and flooding, with damage totalling billions of euros.
The Central, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and Alentejo regions were the most affected.
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