Business Forum • 9 October, 2024 at 8:53 AM
The 2023-2024 agricultural season has been marked by extreme weather events, severely affecting farmers nationwide. Agra Asigurări launches the damage retrospective for this season according to its portfolio of 1,508,000 insured hectares. With nearly 6,000 active policies, the insurer has recorded damage notices on over 50% of them. The highest claim was for RON 5.47 million, awarded to a farmer in Ilfov affected by hail.
According to Agra Asigurări portfolio, Constanța was one of the most affected counties. There were almost 600 claims, more than half caused by soil drought and frost. Olt County was also particularly affected, with more than 320 claims, followed by Dolj, with 310 damage claims.
“Climate change is no longer a surprise, but a reality we are learning to adapt quickly. This season, the national team of damage assessors faced record-breaking temperatures, with consecutive days when the thermometers did not fall below 30°C. However, we have mobilized all necessary resources to respond promptly to farmers,” said Horia-Adrian Lupu - General Manager of Agra Asigurări.
June 2024: A record month
June 2024 was particularly challenging for farmers, with over 1,200 claims recorded in Agra Asigurări's portfolio, a record number. As a result, the company paid the affected farmers with RON 65 million.
The highest compensation of RON 5.47 million was paid to a farmer in Ilfov County, whose rape and fall wheat crops were devastated by hail. RON 2.85 million was another significant payment to a farmer in Dâmbovița County, who faced multiple risks, including drought, storm, rain, and fire. In third place is a damages file opened in Călărași County, where hail in June severely affected the fall and spring crops, with a total compensation of RON 2.8 million.
“The most common hazards reported this season were hail, thunderstorms, and heavy rain, generating over 1,000 damage claims. These events have devastated crops, highlighting how much global warming disrupts agricultural activities. We can no longer talk about the seasonality of the weather or a stable agricultural calendar for the whole country. Efficient risk management must become a priority for every farmer. Agricultural insurance provides a safety net, allowing business to continue in the face of unpredictable weather,” added Horia-Adrian Lupu.
Since 2016, Agra Asigurări is the only specialized insurer in agriculture in Romania. The company offers complete solutions for climate risk prevention and management, providing farmers with products tailored to their needs. With Europe's fastest and most modern damage assessment, Agra Asigurări offers prompt and efficient help, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring the continuity of agricultural businesses.