Romanian farmers will gain access to new financing thanks to a €25 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Agricover Credit IFN SA, the Bank announced. The funds will be directed toward micro agricultural businesses aiming to boost productivity, adopt modern technologies, and improve environmental sustainability.
Agriculture remains vital to Romania’s economy, employing over 20% of the national workforce— the highest proportion in the European Union— and contributing around 4% of its GDP. The new agreement aims to make financing more accessible, encourage young people to enter the sector, and help farms embrace innovation as older generations retire.
“Our partnership with Agricover Credit demonstrates our strong commitment to support the growth of Romania’s agricultural sector,” said Ioannis Tsakiris, EIB Vice-President. “This financing improves access to much-needed resources for micro-enterprises and creates new opportunities for young farmers in a sector that is vital for Europe. By investing in agriculture, we help build resilience and foster shared prosperity.”
Agricover Credit, Romania’s leading non-bank financial institution dedicated exclusively to agricultural lending, will use the funding to support farmers across different fields, including wheat, dairy, and livestock production.
“Our collaboration with the EIB represents another step forward in addressing the challenges faced by micro agricultural enterprises in Romania,” said Agricover Credit Director General Serhan Hacisuleyman. “This new facility will empower farmers to adopt modern technologies and transform Romania’s agricultural landscape by ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive, especially during these challenging times.”
Beyond the direct financial support, the agreement promotes sustainable business practices, technological innovation, and social inclusion. Agricover will also receive advisory assistance under the EIB’s Social Inclusive Finance Technical Assistance (SIFTA) programme, part of the InvestEU Advisory Hub. The support includes guidance on maintaining the Code of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision and pipeline development to better target small farmers.
