Florin Barbu Confirmed for a New Term as Romania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Florin Barbu will continue to serve as Romania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, following the Social Democratic Party’s (PSD) decision to reconfirm him for a new term.

The announcement comes as part of the formation of a new governing coalition, in which the PSD retains the agriculture portfolio, and Barbu is seen as one of the key figures in implementing the party’s agricultural policies.

His reappointment comes as no surprise to those who have closely followed his performance in office. During his previous mandate, Barbu was credited with managing EU agricultural funds with what experts consider a good absorption rate, while also promoting programs aimed at supporting both large-scale farms and family-run agricultural businesses.

Key Strategic Priorities

Looking ahead, Minister Barbu has outlined a series of clear strategic directions:

• Expansion of the “From Farm to Shelf” Program Designed to shorten the supply chain and promote Romanian products in major retail chains, the program will be extended to include more agricultural cooperatives and undergo digital transformation to improve product traceability.
• Investments in Irrigation Infrastructure A top priority in the face of climate change, Barbu pledged to continue the rehabilitation of outdated irrigation systems and expand modern networks using funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the national budget to reduce agriculture’s dependence on rainfall.
• Boosting Local Processing Capabilities Emphasis will be placed on supporting investments in slaughterhouses, dairy factories, and vegetable and fruit processing units. The dual objective is to retain more added value within the country and reduce reliance on imported finished goods.
• Simplification of Subsidy Access Full digitization of processes within APIA and AFIR will aim to reduce bureaucracy and improve the speed and transparency of funding disbursement.
• Combating Counterfeit Products and Market Tax Evasion This will be tackled through closer cooperation with ANAF (the tax authority) and the Consumer Protection Agency, along with clearer food labelling standards to enhance transparency and traceability.

Minister’s Vision: Predictability and Trust for Romanian Agriculture

"Agriculture in Romania needs predictability, investment, and trust," Minister Barbu stated, underlining his commitment to maintaining a continuous dialogue with farmers and key industry players during his new term.

The PSD is relying on Barbu’s experience and public visibility to deliver concrete results in a sector that remains vital to Romania’s national economy.

However, the real test will be in the implementation of these ambitious plans and how farmers respond, particularly in light of upcoming tax increases proposed by the new Bolojan government, which are expected to be rolled out swiftly.