Lisbon, Sept. 7, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Government is preparing measures to subsidise the cost of diesel used in agriculture, in order to ease the burden on farmers and curb the rise in agricultural product prices, the minister of the economy and territorial cohesion said on Monday.
«Very soon, the Government will take measures to protect farmers' diesel supply by subsidising the cost of diesel for agricultural use,» said Manuel Castro Almeida, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Oath of Honour ceremony for the 21 new inspectors of the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), which took place today at the National Library of Portugal in Lisbon.
The minister described the rise in the cost of diesel for agriculture as «particularly worrying», emphasising that farmers have no scope to reduce their consumption, as the fuel is essential for the operation of tractors and agricultural machinery.
According to Castro Almeida, the rise in diesel costs ultimately feeds through to the prices of agricultural products in supermarkets and, consequently, to the cost of living for consumers.
The minister also highlighted a «double impact» on households, particularly those most in need, who are facing both rising fuel costs and rising prices for agricultural products.
«Special protection for agricultural diesel has this dual advantage,» he said.
When asked by Lusa about the adoption of new measures beyond the agricultural sector, the minister said that, «for the time being», the Government is focusing on this measure, due to its impact on farmers' costs and, subsequently, on retail prices.
«It will ease the pressure on the prices of agricultural products,» he maintained.
On Friday, the Automobile Club of Portugal (ACP) estimated that the price per litre of diesel would rise by 15 cents and that of petrol by 12 cents this week.
On the same day, the cabinet office minister, António Leitão Amaro, announced at the end of the Cabinet meeting that the discount on the Special Tax on Petroleum Products (ISP) would be increased by around three cents on petrol and diesel.
The prime minister also indicated that the fuel tax rebate will total «around €700 million» in 2026 and said that further measures would be taken if prices remain at the levels seen over the last four weeks.
«The country is making a very significant effort, which we need to keep monitoring, and if there is constant fluctuation, as there has been over the last four weeks, and if this continues, the Government is obviously prepared to address these developments by adopting the measures we deem most appropriate,» said Luís Montenegro in Nelas, Viseu, on Friday.
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