The Spanish government plans to introduce a National Fertilizer Plan by the first quarter of 2027 to strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on external suppliers. President Pedro Sánchez announced the initiative at an event in San Martín de la Vega, Madrid, citing disruptions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which have affected fertilizer imports and the agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister Luis Planas described the rise in input costs as “a European and practically global phenomenon,” linking it to the war in the Middle East and conditions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
As an immediate response, the government announced support for a list of 425,000 beneficiaries, with more than €600 million allocated to fertilizer purchases. The national fertilizer scheme reached €665 million after another €165 million was added. By 21 October 2026, €505 million had been disbursed and 255,000 farmers and ranchers had benefited, information from figures cited by Planas. The 425,000 figure refers to the announced beneficiary list, while the later figure counts recipients reached by that date and payment stage. Spain’s broader agricultural and fisheries measures total €1.174 billion. They include €159 million for agricultural diesel and €300 million in ICO-MAPA-SAECA credit, with another €50 million for fishing-sector diesel.
The national response operates under Royal Decree-Law 7/2026, dated 20 March, which established Spain’s Comprehensive Response Plan to the Middle East Crisis. Alongside the national scheme, the EU agricultural crisis reserve allocated €50,174,300 for additional assistance to producers facing higher fertilizer and energy costs. The Agriculture Ministry distributed the EU funds among Spain’s autonomous communities following the Sectoral Conference on Agriculture and Rural Development. The allocation forms part of a broader €69.2 million distribution for agricultural and animal-health measures. It supplements national fertilizer aid, rather than being a single direct transfer to producers. EU-reserve payments must be made by 28 February 2027, while complementary regional payments may continue until 31 May 2027.
The plan has three basic priorities. It will advance precision agriculture through technologies such as drones and agronomic monitoring tools, while reinforcing Spain’s strategic autonomy by reducing dependence on natural gas for fertilizer production. A dedicated market information system will increase price transparency and help anticipate and respond to fluctuations. An interministerial working group is already operational, and the government has committed to ongoing dialogue with relevant administrations and stakeholders to make the plan comprehensive and effective.
Existing support mechanisms will also remain in place. Measures under the latest Royal Decree-Law have nearly doubled per-hectare subsidies and maintained the 20-cent-per-litre discount on agricultural and fishing diesel. The government has also secured up to €300 million in financing through the ICO-MAPA-SAECA line. These measures are intended to address the current crisis and build ability to recover against future shocks, while supporting a transition to more sustainable and efficient agriculture in line with European fertilizer policy objectives.
Planas has emphasized the need to improve fertilizer efficiency and promote controlled organic fertilization. He also called for investment in research and innovation. The plan encourages the development of biostimulants and techniques that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, supporting Spain’s goal of greater self-sufficiency in agricultural inputs.
Spain’s agricultural sector ranks fourth in export volume in Europe and seventh globally. The sector is recognized for its commitment to new idea, and women now account for nearly 30% of its workforce. The government’s latest actions are intended to support nearly 1.5 million farmers and livestock breeders, who form the backbone of rural Spain.
Spain’s broader approach to crisis management has also been visible in other sectors. During the launch of San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona, for example, authorities prioritized emergency services and public health in response to record crowds and extreme heat, as detailed in this report on the San Fermín festival’s new safety measures.
The government’s strategy combines immediate relief with long-term structural reforms. Spain aims to secure its food supply and strengthen its position as a leading agri-food power in Europe and beyond through investment in technology and support for innovation, coordinated across sectors.
