France has this week announced further fuel support for farmers.

As international tensions continue to weigh on energy markets, the French Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, has introduced an exceptional payment of 15c/L of non-road agricultural diesel (GNR) for the month of May, for a total of approximately €53 million.

The French government said [translated] that for several weeks, the geopolitical situation in the Middle East has been "putting continuous pressure on fuel prices, with direct repercussions on agricultural production costs".

"This situation is weakening the cash flow of farms, which are already exposed to high costs linked to the rising price of essential inputs," it said.

"In this context, the government is pursuing a phased response strategy, mobilising measures adapted to the intensity and duration of the crisis, in order to protect farms."

As a result, the following measures have been implemented:

An exceptional support measure for social security contributions for vulnerable farms, amounting to €20 million;
The reimbursement by the state of all excise duties on GNR for the month of April, for an amount of €14 million;
Exceptional short-term loans overseen by BPI France, known as 'fuel loans', to cushion the rise in energy prices;
A deferral of social security contributions, without fees or surcharges, and a spreading of tax deadlines, at the request of operators.

Faced with persistently high fuel prices, the minister announced that a subsidy per litre for farmers would more than triple and reach 15c/L in May.

"This measure comes in addition to the low tax on agricultural diesel, which represents a cost of €1.3 billion in 2026.

Minister Annie Genevard said: "Faced with a deepening crisis, the government continues to act responsibly and decisively.

"This direct fuel support, which more than triples the aid implemented since April, addresses a very real need on the ground.

"I remain vigilant regarding the evolving situation."