Between October 8–9, 2025, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, paid an official visit to Romania at a strategic moment for defining the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027.

The visit aimed to strengthen the dialogue between European and Romanian authorities regarding financial support for farmers, modernization of irrigation infrastructure, and adaptation to the European Union’s new environmental requirements.

High-level meetings

Commissioner Hansen met in Bucharest with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Minister of Agriculture Florin Barbu, and representatives of the main professional organizations in agriculture and the food industry. The discussions focused on:

• preparation of the 2028–2034 CAP framework, under which Romania will benefit from at least €16.6 billion; • additional support for farmers affected by extreme weather conditions; • measures to encourage local processing and traceability of agri-food products; • the need for administrative simplification in accessing European funds.

Field visits

During the trip, the European Commissioner visited the Afiliu Trans farm in Buzău County, an example of a private investment with vertical integration – production, processing, and local distribution. He also visited an irrigation project financed with European funds through the Protect Agro program, where he discussed expanding water infrastructure in areas affected by drought.

Commissioner’s message

“Romania has a strategic role in ensuring Europe’s food security. Through modern investments and stronger cooperation between farmers, processors, and authorities, the country can become a major supplier of high-quality agri-food products in the region,” said Christophe Hansen at the Agri4Future Romania – Objective 2035 conference held in Bucharest.

Hansen also announced €11.5 million in support from the EU’s agricultural reserve, intended for Romanian farmers affected by the late frost in spring this year.

A strengthened partnership

Romanian authorities welcomed the Commissioner’s visit, emphasizing Brussels’ openness to the specific needs of Romanian agriculture, characterized by fragmentation, high costs, and climate vulnerabilities.

Christophe Hansen’s visit marks a new stage in the relationship between Romania and the European Commission in the agricultural sector, with a focus on sustainable investments, digitalization, and the green transition of farms and processing units.

(Photo: Freepik)