Distribution of green-diesel cards begins for farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy has started distributing "green diesel" payment cards to farmers, the ministry announced. According to Minister Borche Serafimovski, the move is timed to help producers cover costs ahead of autumn fieldwork and sowing.

First batches handed out in Sveti Nikole and Bitola

A total of 48,037 cards have been prepared, with a combined value of 584 million denars (about €9.5 million). The support is being delivered through the 2026 Financial Support Programme for Agriculture, and individual entitlements are calculated on the basis of areas and crops declared in 2025 direct payment applications.

Payments range from 3,200 to 12,000 denars per hectare, assigned by crop category. Minister Serafimovski stressed the practical purpose of the aid at a time when farmers face immediate expenses for soil preparation, seeds, fertilizers and machinery maintenance.

"Financial support has begun to reach farmers at a time when they need to invest in autumn soil preparation, to buy seed material and fertilizers, and to maintain machinery. The income from the harvest comes later, while the costs are incurred now. Therefore, the green diesel has immediate practical value for every farmer in the country," the minister said.

Serafimovski also outlined the per-hectare amounts covered by the measure: "For wheat, barley, maize, rice and the other crops in that group it is 3,200 denars per hectare. For sunflower, oilseed rape, alfalfa and the other crops in the corresponding category it is 4,800 denars per hectare. For horticultural crops covered by the measure and for vineyards 9,600 denars per hectare are foreseen. For apples, pears, plums, peaches and the other fruit crops in that group the amount is 12,000 denars, and for quince, cornelian cherry, almond, hazelnut and the other crops in their category 8,800 denars. For tobacco the aid is 11,000 denars, and for walnuts and sweet chestnuts 6,000 denars per hectare," Serafimovski said.

The first cards were distributed this morning in Sveti Nikole and in Bitola, where local farmers received the initial allotments.

Photo: MZShV