The European Commission plans to allocate 20% less funding to Lithuania’s agricultural sector, which could leave the country facing a shortfall of around €2 billion. The national government also intends to reduce its own contributions to the Agriculture Ministry, prompting concerns that the sector could grind to a halt.
Last January, the sound of tractors and farm machinery filled central Vilnius as farmers took to the streets in protest. While some of their demands were met, anxiety in the agricultural community remains high. Under the European Commission’s proposed budget for the coming period, Lithuania would receive a fifth less EU funding for agriculture than before, leaving a significant hole in the country’s finances.
“State budget funds make up only a small share, perhaps about 20% of the total. Most of the ministry’s financing is linked to European money,” Agriculture Minister Andrius Palionis told reporters.
According to next year’s draft state budget, national allocations to the Agriculture Ministry will fall by €142 million compared with this year, to just over €1.08 billion.
Grain Growers’ Association head Audrius Vanagas warned that such cuts could push the sector into “stagnation”.
“This is clearly too little, and reducing funding in this way – not only now but also as planned beyond 2028 – will inevitably slow agriculture to a standstill,” he said.
Former Agriculture Minister Ignas Hofmanas noted that Lithuania already spends the least on agriculture from its national budget among EU member states.
“This reduction is very concerning – in fact, ‘concerning’ is putting it mildly,” he said. “There will be a great deal of unease.”
One of the areas most affected by limited funding is land drainage and irrigation maintenance.
“We haven’t properly funded this for 35 years. About €30 million is allocated annually for the whole country – but that’s what one district alone would need. It’s like a ticking time bomb,” Hofmanas said.
Meanwhile, the Seimas (Lithuanian parliament) is considering recognising agriculture and food production as strategically important for national security. However, industry representatives warn that implementing such a designation would require major investment, as Lithuania remains unable to fully meet its own food needs.
“Some sectors must import a large share of their products – vegetables, greenhouse crops, pork. We export too many raw goods such as grain instead of processing them into higher-value products,” said Arūnas Svitojus, head of the Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture.
“The vegetable and berry sectors are crying out for support,” added Chamber Vice-President Vytautas Buivydas.
Pork remains Lithuania’s most popular meat, but only 42% of what is consumed is produced domestically. The rest is imported. Reviving pig farming, experts say, would require substantial support.
“African swine fever has been one factor, but even countries facing the same problem haven’t seen their pig industries shrink as much as ours,” said Vigilijus Jukna, adviser to the prime minister. “There are also environmental and economic issues.”
For now, farmers are not planning major demonstrations. However, some who joined last year’s protest say they support the upcoming warning strike being prepared by Lithuania’s cultural sector.
“Values are fundamental. If culture collapses, agriculture won’t stand either,” said Vanagas.
Farmers’ organisations say they will bring heavy machinery to Vilnius at the end of November to join the Culture protest, where they plan to perform a joint piece with Lithuanian jazz and contemporary music groups.
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