Short food chains: a priority on paper, not interesting in reality?

As 2025 draws to a close, an uncomfortable truth has emerged: short food supply chain projects in Lithuania remain a declared rather than an actual agricultural policy under the leadership of Andrius Palionis' Ministry of Agriculture. Only 11 applications were submitted to the National Paying Agency (NPA) during the entire application period.

Although more than €5.3 million was foreseen for this measure – most of the funds will remain unspent.

Farmers and other operators are simply not committed to creating short food chains. With only €1.64 million requested and enough to support everyone without any competition, it is clear that the problem lies not in the funding but in the attractiveness of the measure itself.

„The amounts of support requested in the applications submitted range from €27,000 to €250,000 per project“, says the NMA.

Why aren't farmers interested?

Although short supply chains sound attractive in theory – direct link to the consumer, higher added value, fewer intermediaries – in practice, farmers face bureaucratic red tape, complex requirements and unclear economic benefits.

Smaller farms often do not have the time or human resources to administer projects, while larger farms are unlikely to find it worthwhile.

It is no coincidence that the majority of applicants are natural persons, while legal persons are almost non-existent: only two cooperatives have decided to apply. This shows that even the organised structures do not see sufficient motivation to develop this trend.