Florin Barbu proposes changes to diesel purchases for agriculture: farmers will be able to buy fuel directly at the pump without VAT and excise duty

Riana Gegiu

19 October 2026, 14:11

Current Affairs

Foto: Facebook/ Florin Barbu

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Florin Barbu, the proposed minister to take over the Agriculture portfolio, announced that the reverse charge on grain, which expires on December 31, 2026, will be extended. He said Romania also intends to include the reverse charge for diesel used in agriculture in its decision to the European Commission.

The measure would be implemented starting in 2027 and would allow farmers to buy fuel directly at the pump without VAT and excise duty. According to Barbu, the amendment to the European decision should be finalized by the end of 2026.

The minister argues that the solution would reduce farmers’ costs and eliminate the six- to seven-month period during which they wait for their VAT refunds. During this time, producers have to resort to loans to finance their diesel purchases, while interest payments reduce the value of the support received from the state.

Barbu clarified that this does not mean a fixed price of four lei per liter, but rather the elimination of the 21% VAT and the excise duty, estimated at approximately 2.2 lei per liter. A few months ago, he had proposed direct purchases based on special certificates, limited to 78 liters of diesel per hectare.

On Monday, Florin Barbu received a favorable opinion from the parliamentary committees for the position of agriculture minister.

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Context: Barbu came to the hearings with promises regarding the first measures in the governing program, while in agriculture there is intense discussion about fuel costs and delays in providing support

Before receiving a favorable opinion, Florin Barbu’s hearings for the position of Minister of Agriculture were marked by accusations related to a legislative amendment concerning the classification of reed-covered areas in the Danube Delta as grasslands, followed by discussions about subsidies and possible fraud involving European funds at institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. Barbu responded by asking lawmakers to move beyond political disputes and stated that he could implement the first measures in the governing program within the first 100 days, including fixed-interest loans.

Meanwhile, farmers called, during meetings with the authorities, for swift interventions to cope with rising fuel and fertilizer prices, criticizing delays in granting support measures. The discussion intersected with the reduction of the excise duty on diesel: the government approved the amendment of the scheme that provides funding for farmers until March 2026, while political voices advocated reducing VAT and temporarily eliminating the excise duty on diesel, drawing attention to the effects on the economy and on costs in agriculture.