FARMERS – COTTON – SUBSIDIES 2026: The international market shows signs of recovery, the ICAC predicts an increase in global trade, and at the same time, the process for transferring basic support rights has opened – What producers must watch out for until September 15
Report: Giannis Papanikolaou
News: New data is being created for cotton producers, as the international cotton price is now moving in the region of 84 cents per pound and is attempting to approach 85 cents, while forecasts for international production and trade are beginning to generate greater interest ahead of the harvest.
At the same time, Greek producers are facing another critical deadline: the system for transferring basic income support rights has been activated, and interested parties must complete the process in a timely manner through the AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue).
According to a specialized official from the Ministry of Rural Development who spoke to vimaorthodoxias.gr, the coming weeks require special attention, as "the price of the product is one side of agricultural income, but equally critical is the correct activation and management of rights, so that the producer does not lose subsidies due to procedural errors."
Cotton approaches 85 cents
The upward movement of the international market has renewed producer interest. Prices between 84 and 85 cents per pound correspond, in pure mathematical reduction, to approximately levels of 53 to 53.6 cents per kilo of seed, though this does not mean that this will automatically be the final price received by the Greek producer.
The final commercial price is affected by the dollar, the stock market hedging of the ginning mills, product quality, moisture, fiber yield, and the agreements of each ginning enterprise.
However, the international picture presents some positive elements.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee – ICAC predicts a decline in global production by approximately 2% for the 2026/27 season, with production moving near 25.7-25.8 million tons.
At the same time, the ICAC estimates that in a longer time horizon, global cotton trade could reach approximately 10.3 million tons by 2028/29, from lower levels today.
Brazil, the USA, and China
Interest is concentrated on three major players.
Brazil has significantly strengthened its position in the international market, taking advantage of high production and competitive costs.
The USA, on the other hand, faces increased uncertainty due to weather conditions and production fluctuations, factors that directly affect stock market contracts.
China remains the large consumer that can shift the balances. If activity in the clothing and textile industry increases, a potential boost in Chinese imports could provide additional support to international prices.
This, however, does not mean that 85 cents represents a "locked" level. The market remains vulnerable to geopolitical events, changes in consumption, and changes in exchange rates.
Transfer of rights: What changes now
At the same time, the process for transferring basic income support rights for the 2026 support year has opened.
Producers can transfer all or part of their rights, and cases of transfer with or without land, leasing, inheritance, and termination of existing leases are provided for.
A basic prerequisite is that the recipient must be considered an active farmer for the support year and be legally established in Greece, with the exception of special cases of inheritance.
The application begins digitally from the transferor using personal TAXISnet codes and is completed, where required, with acceptance by the recipient.
The announced deadline is September 15, 2026, at 23:59.
Five examples that farmers should know
1. Producer transfers field along with rights
A farmer owns 100 acres and the corresponding basic support rights. They sell or transfer the land to another active farmer and want to transfer the rights along with it. They can submit an application for definitive transfer of rights with land, provided the data matches and the recipient meets the requirements.
2. Keeps the land but gives the rights
A producer has rights but wishes to transfer them without relinquishing the agricultural plot. The system provides for a separate category of definitive transfer without land. However, this specific act must be recorded correctly so as not to create a discrepancy with the 2026 CAP (Common Agricultural Policy).
3. Father retires and rights pass to children
In the case of inheritance, a special procedure applies. Rights can be transferred to heirs, and there is still the possibility of inheritance transfer and simultaneous transfer to another farmer, provided the terms are met.
4. Farmer leases field and rights for specific years
If a producer wishes to temporarily lease both the rights and the land, they can use the leasing procedure with land lease. Upon the expiration of the agreement, the rights return according to the terms of the lease.
5. Rights originating from regional reserve
Here lies one of the biggest traps. Rights distributed from the regional reserves of the years 2023-2025 generally cannot be transferred, except for the provided exceptions, such as inheritance, force majeure, or extraordinary circumstances.
Double attention until the harvest
For cotton producers, the next period is therefore doubly critical.
On one hand, the international market leaves open the possibility of better prices if tighter supply is confirmed and the recovery of global trade continues.
On the other hand, no producer should leave administrative procedures to the last minute.
The 85-cent price creates expectations, not a guarantee. Similarly, the support right constitutes a real asset for an agricultural holding, but it can be lost or not properly utilized when there are incorrect transfers, discrepancies in the CAP, or late actions.
Therefore, the period until mid-September is expected to be decisive both for cotton and commercial agreements and for the 2026 subsidies.