Access to finance remains one of the main constraints on the development of Romanian farms. According to the National Bank of Romania and Eurostat, during the 2024–2025 period the cost of agricultural credit remained high, driven by elevated interest rates and the risk perception associated with the agricultural sector.

In 2025, interest rates on agricultural loans frequently exceeded 8–10%, depending on the farm profile and the guarantees provided. For many holdings, these levels rapidly erode profit margins, particularly in a context of high income volatility. Data from the National Institute of Statistics show that debt servicing has become an increasingly significant component of fixed costs.

Banks assess farms primarily through the lens of cash flow and income stability. Subsidies are taken into account, but they cannot substitute for the absence of consistent economic performance. In practice, farms with a solid track record and diversified activities have easier access to credit, while operations dependent on a single income stream are perceived as high-risk.

For 2026, credit remains a necessary but costly instrument. From an economic perspective, the decision to take on debt must be strictly aligned with real repayment capacity, rather than with expectations of favorable agricultural years.

(Photo: Freepik)