Regional Government highlights agrifood production indicators and steps up support for sector through 2026 - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, highlighted today, during an urgent debate at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the period of strong growth and consolidation currently experienced by the Azorean agrifood sector.

The government official revealed that agricultural production, both exported and processed, reached €445 million in 2025, the highest figure recorded in the last 10 years.

“This Government’s significant financial investment in agriculture is yielding positive results for the Azorean people,” stated the Regional Secretary. In this regard, he highlighted the increase in production in sectors such as horticulture, fruit production, viticulture, organic farming and beef production, praising the ongoing collaboration with the Azores Agricultural Federation.

As evidence of the priority given to the sector, the 2025 budget allocation for agriculture reached an all-time high: €60.1 million.

In addition to this amount, the €16 million transferred from the National Government to the POSEI financial supplements brought the investment to an overall sum of €76 million.

António Ventura also highlighted the rejuvenation of the sector. In 2025 alone, 86 young farmers established themselves, the highest number over the last decade, bringing the total number of new young farmers established since 2021 to 181.

The organic farming sector also saw a significant increase, rising from 1,277 hectares in 2020 to around 6,000 hectares in 2025.

In view of the external influences marking the beginning of 2026, with impacts on production factors such as diesel and fertilisers, the Azorean Government has assured that a solid set of measures to support farmers’ income will be maintained.

The government official confirmed that applications under POSEI and PEPAC will continue to be fully funded, “without any apportionment, that is, without any cuts.”

As a structural preventive measure, support for the maintenance of agriculture in the Outermost Rgions has seen a further 10% financial increase, now totalling €18 million – double the amount allocated in 2020.
   
Another highlight for this year is the increase in the arable crops premium, which rises from €500 to €700 per hectare.

The Government is also maintaining the decree on agricultural diesel, which removed the maximum consumption limits per producer and included new sectors of activity.

In a clear sign of rigour and stability for farm finances, the Regional Secretary emphasised that regional payments to farmers are fully up to date, with €6 million already paid out by the end of March this year.

In terms of sustainability and attracting investment, the Region has recently seen several major European projects approved, namely the LIFE IP AGRILOOP project (€27 million), which focuses on the agroforestry circular economy and is part of a wider package of environmental projects exceeding €50 million.