Salvador Malheiro, 52, holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, a postgraduate degree in Internal Combustion Engines, and a Doctorate in Engineering Sciences.
The university professor from Aveiro will replace Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar, who managed Fisheries, and will also take on the Sea portfolio.
João Moura continues as Secretary of State for Agriculture. Moura has a bachelor’s degree in Animal Production, a degree in Agricultural Engineering, and an MBA in Financial Management for Small and Medium Enterprises.
Moura has experience as an agricultural technical engineer in Baixo Mondego, a councilman in Ourém Municipal Chamber, a deputy, and a professor. He also served as vice-president of the PSD parliamentary group.
Rui Ladeira remains Secretary of State for Forests. Ladeira, an Agricultural Engineering graduate, was the Mayor of Vouzela.
Ladeira has spent a decade as a professor, trainer, and entrepreneur in the forestry sector.
Among the key areas for the Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, will be the ongoing wine sector crisis, a pressing issue noted when Fernandes first took office.
Low prices paid to producers and distribution challenges are putting pressure on national producers, especially in the Douro region, prompting calls for new government support.
In 2024, the EU advanced some aid to farmers, but the ministry warned these measures were mere “palliative” solutions. New supports evaluated this year include early harvesting and vineyard removal, described as “last-resort” solutions.
Debates over the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will also continue, as there has been talk of merging the aid pillars into a single fund.
The government aims to maintain these two pillars in the next CAP (2028-2034)—direct subsidies to farmers and rural development aid—requiring at least a 2% annual funding increase from the previous budget.
In trade negotiations with the United States, the Ministry of Agriculture advises calm and unity within the European bloc, warning that division would be “concerning” for all countries.
The threat of bluetongue disease, particularly with rising temperatures, remains, but farmers remain confident in controlling it through vaccination.
Bird flu has affected Portugal and globally, causing, for instance, egg prices in the US to reach record highs.
Portugal hasn’t been immune, with egg prices rising almost 80% from January 2022 to March 2025, increasing from €1.14 to €2.05 for half a dozen, according to Deco.
On March 9, the government unveiled the “Water that Unites” strategy, which includes around 300 measures aimed at efficient water resource management. The strategy, based on efficiency, resilience, and intelligence, is set for 15 years and plans to add over 1 billion cubic meters (m3) of water capacity for all uses nationwide.
The “Water that Unites” strategy involves programs to reduce water loss, reuse treated water, innovate and digitalize the water cycle, rehabilitate rivers and streams, increase storage capacity, enhance irrigation projects’ efficiency, manage supplies to the Sines industrial hub, and strengthen Alentejo’s water resilience.
The sector demands this strategy’s implementation, with the Portuguese Farmers Confederation (CAP) stating that the “time for intentions has expired.”
