Agriculture Ministry Allocates €3 million in Call to Promote Slovak Foodstuffs

Bratislava, 30 April (TASR) - Starting as of 1 May, food producers can apply for state aid to promote their products, including packaging production, as the Agriculture Ministry has allocated €3 million for the call, stated Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) at a press conference on Thursday, noting that the amount may still be increased. Through the scheme, costs incurred between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026 may be reimbursed to companies listed on the register of food producers by applying for funds of up to €300,000 per applicant on the apa.sk website until 31 May 2026. According to Takac, more than €2 million was provided through a similar state aid scheme last year. "I believe that several entities producing high-quality Slovak food in Slovakia will apply for the funds and that we'll support greater awareness as part of the campaign for Slovak food," stated Takac. Reimbursement applies to the production of packaging, services related to creating high-quality content, producing and printing promotional and marketing materials, producing advertising campaigns, and placing advertisements. Vice-chair of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK) and president of the Slovak Dairy Association (SMZ) Marian Solty has expressed appreciation for the possibility to finance packaging via the call. "The cost of packaging technology is rising enormously due to the current Middle East crisis. We just get notified that such and such a packaging costs 20 to 30 percent more," he said. In addition to the promotion call, the possibility to provide investment aid to food producers has also been greenlighted by the European Commission (EC) and the Anti-monopoly Office (PMU). This call could be launched in the second half of the year if funds are available. Originally, the ministry planned to allocate €20 million for the investment call, but Takac said that funds are being diverted to unplanned events, such as co-financing for EC compensation for pig breeders and milk producers. "There are various unpredictable events, such as the drought that we're facing now. And we're going to address the milk crisis," added Takac. jrg/df