Access to financing remains one of the greatest challenges for Romanian farmers. According to AFIR data, the total value of projects submitted in the first three quarters of 2024 exceeded €4 billion, yet only half of them were deemed eligible due to documentation errors or lack of co-financing.

Commercial banks have begun to adapt their portfolios to the specific needs of the agricultural sector; however, high interest rates and strict collateral requirements continue to discourage small farmers. In 2024, CEC Bank and the Rural Credit Guarantee Fund (FGCR) launched dedicated financing lines for farms benefiting from AFIR projects, reducing the required guarantee to as low as 20% of the loan value.

According to the European Commission (DG AGRI), Romania remains below the EU average in terms of agricultural investments financed through loans—only 16%, compared to the European average of 36%. To increase this level, experts recommend integrating financial instruments with non-reimbursable grants and simplifying bureaucratic procedures.

In the long term, the competitiveness of Romanian agriculture depends on access to capital and investor confidence. Efficient financing, combined with financial education among farmers, can transform agriculture from a vulnerable sector into a strategic and predictable one.