Portugal Estimates €750 Million in Agricultural and Forestry Losses Following Successive Storms

Widespread Damage Across Agricultural and Forestry Sectors

Portugal's agriculture ministry has announced preliminary estimates indicating losses of approximately €750 million (equivalent to $890 million) in the country's agricultural and forestry sectors. This significant financial impact is attributed to a succession of powerful storms that have swept across the Iberian Peninsula in recent weeks, notably Storm Marta, Storm Leonardo, and Storm Kristin.

The storms, which occurred between late January and early February 2026, brought torrential rain, strong winds reaching up to 120 km/h (75 mph), and heavy snowfall, leading to extensive flooding and infrastructure damage. Farmers' associations have described the situation as a 'natural catastrophe', with thousands of hectares of farmland inundated.

Impact on Crops and Infrastructure

The severe weather has caused considerable damage to various agricultural productions. Affected areas include:

• Vegetable crops such as broccoli, carrots, and cauliflowers, which were submerged under water.
• Fruit orchards and vineyards, particularly in coastal areas and the Alentejo region.
• Greenhouses, plastic tunnels, and irrigation systems, with some greenhouses, like a tomato production facility in Torres Vedras, being almost completely destroyed.

The damage has raised concerns among growers about delayed planting and potentially reduced yields in the coming months. Beyond agriculture, the storms also disrupted critical infrastructure, leading to the closure of numerous roads and interruptions to rail services across Portugal.

Human Toll and Emergency Response

The succession of storms has also resulted in human casualties and widespread displacement. At least two people have died in Portugal directly due to the storms, including a man who drowned in a river in Campo Maior, Portalegre District, and a firefighter in Alcácer do Sal. Across the wider Iberian Peninsula, at least five fatalities have been reported since the arrival of Storm Leonardo. Earlier, Storm Kristin was linked to ten deaths. Additionally, more than 11,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes, primarily in Spain's Andalusia region, highlighting the widespread impact across the Iberian Peninsula.

In response to the crisis, the Portuguese government mobilized approximately 26,500 rescue workers nationwide and extended a state of calamity until February 15 to support recovery efforts.

Government Measures and EU Aid Request

Portugal's Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, has been actively involved in addressing the crisis. The ministry has requested the European Commission to activate the EU's agricultural crisis reserve fund, a mechanism designed to provide rapid response in the event of crises affecting agricultural production. This request was made in a letter to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, citing estimated damages of €500 million in the agricultural sector and an additional €275 million in forestry.

Domestically, Minister Fernandes announced an additional €40 million support package in grants for farmers in the 68 municipalities where a state of emergency was declared. This aid is aimed at restoring productive potential for those whose damage exceeds 30%. Regional coordination bodies are currently conducting on-the-ground inspections to quantify the damage and determine eligibility for various support measures, including national emergency funds and European Union rural development programs.