EFSE and Agricover Credit expand their partnership with EUR 15 million financing for sustainable agriculture in Romania

Bucharest, March 31, 2026 – The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) and Agricover Credit IFN, are strengthening their strategic partnership through the signing of a new loan agreement worth the RON equivalent of EUR 15 million. The financing has a seven-year maturity, including a two-year grace period, and aims to support small and medium-sized farmers in Romania in adopting sustainable agricultural practices and transitioning to environmentally responsible farming. Access to finance remains a structural challenge for agriculture across Europe, with an estimated financing gap of between EUR 19.8 billion and EUR 46.6 billion, according to the European Commission, fi‑compass report [see p.9 ]. In Romania, the challenge is even more pronounced, with an estimated financial gap in agriculture of EUR 11 billion and less than 5% of farmers accessing credit, significantly below the levels observed in Western European markets. This highlights the urgent need for tailored financing solutions for the agricultural sector.

Through this new agreement, EFSE and Agricover Credit aim to address this gap by increasing access to finance for farmers and agricultural businesses and catering to their specific needs. The partnership builds on Agricover Credit’s strong role in supporting Romanian agriculture by providing financing at critical moments. The funding will support investments in modern technologies and sustainable agricultural practices, helping farms improve productivity, strengthen resilience to climate challenges, and enhance their long-term competitiveness.

“Sustainable agriculture is a core priority for EFSE, as it supports jobs and growth, strengthens food security, and builds climate resilience across the region. By deepening our partnership with Agricover Credit, we are expanding access to long-term financing so farmers can invest in sustainable practices and modern technologies, boosting productivity while making their businesses more resilient. Together, we aim to create lasting value for Romania’s agricultural sector and support the country’s green transition,” said Oxana Binzaru, Regional Director at Finance in Motion, the co‑manager of EFSE.

“Romanian agriculture has strong potential, but many small and medium-sized farms still face limited access to long-term financing. What truly differentiates Agricover Credit is our ability to deeply understand the farmer's needs, as well as our own demonstrated resilience in navigating the sector's challenges. We work closely with

farmers every day, seeing their challenges first-hand. This new agreement with EFSE strengthens our capacity to provide solutions that help farmers invest, adapt to climate pressures, and build stronger and more resilient businesses,” emphasized Serhan Hacisuleyman, CEO Agricover Credit IFN.

About EFSE
The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) is an impact investment fund to drive economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus. Through its two sub-funds—the Regional Sub-Fund (RSF) and the Ukraine Sub-Fund (USF)—EFSE provides tailored financial solutions to foster entrepreneurship, strengthen financial inclusion, and support local economies. EFSE was initiated in 2005 by KfW Development Bank with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission. As the first public-private partnership of its kind, EFSE draws its capital from donor agencies, international financial institutions, and private institutional investors. Finance in Motion GmbH, Germany, serves as EFSE’s Portfolio Manager and Hauck & Aufhäuser Fund Services S.A., Luxembourg, acts as manager.  

For more information on the European Fund for Southeast Europe, please visit: www.efse.lu  

 

About Finance in Motion
Finance in Motion structures, manages, and advises almost €4 billion across 10 funds, all classified as SFDR Article 9. These private market funds drive impact for people and planet through regional financial intermediaries, direct investments, advisory and capacity building. Founded in Germany, with local expertise from Latin America to Eastern Europe, it has been investing in emerging markets for over 20 years.  
For more information, please visit: www.finance-in-motion-com     

 

About Agricover Credit
Agricover Credit IFN is a significant player in the Romanian agricultural financing market, ranking in the top three providers of agricultural credit solutions, with a market share of 7.5%. The institution serves over 4,800 active farmers nationwide and stands out through a mobile team of more than 70 specialists dedicated to agriculture, offering financing products specifically designed for farmers’ needs—whether working capital, investment financing, or support for the transition to sustainable practices.

Agricover Credit is part of the Agricover Group, which has been providing farmers with innovative solutions for business development for over 25 years. In addition to financing farmers' operations and investments, the Group also provides agricultural inputs

through its two specialized companies – Agricover Distribution and Agricover Commodities.

For more information, please visit: https://agricover.ro