The new European policy direction emphasizes climate neutrality and the protection of natural resources. According to the European Commission, the objectives related to reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers remain priorities, even if the pace of implementation is being adjusted.

For Romanian farms, these conditionalities translate into additional costs. Investments in precision technologies, extended crop rotations, and agroecological practices require capital and technical adaptation. JRC data show that the transition to more sustainable models may reduce yields in the short term, before the system stabilizes.

The major issue is external competitiveness. If European farmers are subject to stricter standards than competitors outside the EU, the cost gap becomes a commercial disadvantage. FAO data indicate significant differences in production costs between regions.

For 2026, adaptation to the new conditionalities becomes inevitable. Farms that anticipate changes and invest gradually can limit the impact. In the absence of a proactive strategy, the increase in environmental requirements risks reducing margins and intensifying financial pressure.

(Photo: Freepik)