Companies linked to the United Arab Emirates’ ruling Al Nahyan family have received more than €71 million in EU farm subsidies over six years, according to a cross-border investigation, raising concerns over how Europe’s agricultural funds are distributed.

The investigation, carried out by DeSmog in partnership with European media outlets, found that subsidiaries connected to the family collected payments for farmland in Romania, Italy and Spain between 2019 and 2024.

The Al Nahyan family, which rules Abu Dhabi and is among the world’s wealthiest dynasties, derives much of its estimated $320 billion fortune from oil and sovereign assets.

The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which accounts for around a third of the bloc’s budget, distributes roughly €54 billion annually to farmers and rural projects.

However, the report suggests an unclear share of these funds ultimately flows to foreign investors, including entities linked to state-backed Gulf capital.

Researchers identified 110 subsidy payments tied to companies associated with the UAE family network and its investment arm ADQ, including major agricultural operations in Eastern and Southern Europe.

One of the largest recipients was Romanian agribusiness Agricost, which manages the EU’s largest single farm covering 57,000 hectares and reportedly received €10.5 million in direct payments in 2024 alone.

Campaigners have criticised the findings, arguing that CAP funds often benefit large landowners rather than smaller farmers, and warning that public money may be indirectly supporting regimes with poor human rights records.

EU officials have acknowledged concerns over the distribution of subsidies and proposed reforms that could limit annual payments to large landholders in future budget cycles.

The UAE has expanded its global agricultural footprint in recent years as part of its food security strategy, acquiring farmland and agribusinesses across multiple continents to offset domestic production challenges.

The companies named in the investigation did not respond to requests for comment.