Agricultural Subsidies: 617.5 million euros to be paid to more than 529,000 beneficiaries

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), with the total amount amounting to 617,468,049.80 euros.

The aid covers a total of 1,142,948 payments to 529,494 unique beneficiaries, while, according to AADE data, the amount disbursed for Pillar I payments during May and June totaled 802.4 million euros, exceeding the initial budget by approximately 101 million euros.

As noted, this increase resulted from the collaboration between the General Secretariat for EU Funds and Infrastructure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and the AADE, as well as the full utilization of the possibilities provided by the European institutional framework, in order to direct more funds to the actual beneficiaries.

Following the completion of the necessary audits, the government’s commitment to provide additional support for livestock farming, grain producers, and cotton growers was fulfilled, while the highest unit rates to date were recorded for coupled payments and the environmental schemes under the new CAP 2023–2027. At the same time, a horizontal increase of up to 15% in the Basic Income Support was made possible for the first time.

The government clarifies that the increase in unit-based aid does not entail an increase in the total national envelope, but rather a more efficient use of available European funds, with the aim of providing greater support per actual producer.

With this payment, total payments to farmers since the beginning of the year have already exceeded 1.061 billion euros, surpassing the target for the first half of the year, even though Pillar II payments have not yet been completed.

Basic subsidies being paid

Statements by Schinas and Pitsilis

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, stated:

“Today’s payment confirms in practice that the government is honoring its commitments to Greek farmers. Through transparency, rigorous controls, and full utilization of every available European fund, more than 617 million euros are being directed to those who truly produce and support the Greek economy through their hard work. The integration of OPEKEPE into the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) is the largest reform currently underway in the country. We are creating a modern, reliable, and transparent payment system, with cross-checks, equal rules for all, and full accountability in the management of European funds. Our message to honest producers is clear: they have nothing to fear. On the contrary, they have every reason to feel vindicated, because the new process ensures that the money goes to those who are entitled to it—to those who actually produce—and not to those who try to exploit loopholes and flaws in the system. Through consistency, transparency, and fairness, we are restoring confidence in the agricultural subsidy system and strengthening production in the primary sector as well as the country’s international image.”

The Director of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, George Pitsilis, stated:

“In line with the announced schedule, we are steadily continuing the process of disbursing agricultural subsidies following audits, with the aim of increasing the funds that go to those who are truly entitled to them.” 

Pillar I Payment Data

A. What the payments include

• 101,256 agricultural parcels that had been classified as public land were reinstated in the payments following the completion of the required audits and confirmation that agricultural activity was being carried out.
• 65,450 parcels with outstanding issues regarding ownership or overlapping land areas were also included in the payments following cross-checks with E9 data.
• An additional 55,772 agricultural parcels that had been checked through the Area Monitoring System (AMS) were released, reducing the total number of blocked parcels from 462,704 to 406,932.
• For coupled payments, an additional 37,682 agricultural parcels were released, reducing the number of parcels under restriction from 108,697 to 71,015.

B. Amounts that remain committed

C. Small Aegean Islands

Payments under the Support Program for the Small Aegean Islands have been completed for most actions, including, among others:

• Traditional olive groves
• Vineyards
• Chios mastic
• Lemnos barley
• Skopelos plums
• Artichokes from Tinos
• Traditional Cheese Production
• Beekeeping
• Potatoes, beans, fava beans, and citrus fruits.

Subsidies for Santorini cherry tomatoes, as well as certain supplementary national subsidies for livestock farming and beekeeping, will be paid after the relevant inspections are completed and the necessary funds are allocated.

D. Offsets

• A total of 109,813.69 euros was refunded to 266 producers who had settled their obligations following the previous payment cycle.
• No offsets were made for the 928 farmers who filed objections.

Detailed table of basic payments