Key data
| Regulation | Orden APA/303/2026, of 13 March |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | 1 April 2026 |
| Entry into force | 13 March 2026 |
| Affected parties | Agricultural forage producers, processing and commercialisation companies |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Season | 2026/2027 |
| Regulatory framework | Ley de la Cadena Alimentaria and agri-food contracting regulations |
Forage producers and processing companies have a clear obligation for the 2026/2027 season: their purchase and sale contracts must conform to the standard model approved by Orden APA/303/2026. This regulation, in force since 13 March 2026, establishes the standard contractual framework governing commercial relations between both parties in the sector.
The objective is to balance relationships within the food supply chain and provide legal certainty to producers and processors. This is not a recommendation: it is the model that commercial agreements in the sector must follow during this season.
What does this regulation establish?
Orden APA/303/2026 approves the standard purchase and sale contract for forage intended for processing and/or commercialisation for the 2026/2027 season. Approval means that this contractual model receives the official backing of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and its use facilitates compliance with the Ley de la Cadena Alimentaria and agri-food contracting regulations.
The standard contract includes mandatory minimum conditions that must be present in any forage purchase and sale agreement during this season:
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Price | Conditions for setting the purchase and sale price of forage |
| Quality | Quality parameters and standards required of the product |
| Delivery deadlines | Schedule and conditions for forage delivery |
| Payment terms | Deadlines and payment methods between producer and processor |
These conditions cannot be negotiated below the established minimum. The standard contract acts as a contractual floor: the parties may improve the conditions, but may not worsen them relative to the approved model.
Economic and operational impact
The main impact is not one of direct cost, but of non-compliance risk. Companies operating with contracts that do not respect the minimum conditions of the approved model are exposed to administrative penalties.
From an operational standpoint, the consequences are concrete:
- Purchase and sale contracts for forage signed for the 2026/2027 season must be reviewed and, where necessary, adapted to the approved standard model.
- Clauses on price, quality, delivery deadlines and payment terms must meet the established minimums.
- Using the standard contract facilitates demonstrating compliance in the event of inspections or claims under the Ley de la Cadena Alimentaria.
- For producers, the approved model strengthens their negotiating position vis-à-vis processing companies, by setting minimum conditions that cannot be reduced.
The regulation also has a positive impact: it provides legal certainty to both parties and reduces contractual disputes in the sector, by establishing a clear framework recognised by the Administration.
Who is affected?
- Forage processing companies: Industries that purchase forage from producers for processing (dehydration, hay-making, silage, etc.).
- Forage commercialisation companies: Companies that purchase forage for subsequent distribution and sale.
- Agricultural forage producers: Farmers and farms that grow and sell forage (alfalfa, hay, straw, etc.) to processors or commercialisation companies.
- Legal advisors and management consultants in the agricultural sector: Professionals who draft or review purchase and sale contracts in the forage sector.
Practical example
A dehydrated alfalfa processing company signs purchase and sale contracts each season with several local producers. For the 2026/2027 season, it must ensure that all such contracts include the minimum conditions of the standard model approved by Orden APA/303/2026: agreed price, required quality parameters, delivery schedule and payment deadlines.
If the company maintains a contract from a previous season that does not include, for example, payment deadlines in accordance with the minimum conditions of the new model, that contract does not comply with current regulations. In the event of an inspection or claim by the producer, the company would be exposed to administrative penalties.
The solution is to review the contractual models in use, compare them against the approved standard contract and update any clauses that do not meet the established minimums before signing agreements for the 2026/2027 season.
What should companies do now?
- Review purchase and sale contracts in use: Compare current contractual models against the standard contract approved by Orden APA/303/2026 to identify any discrepancies.
- Verify the four minimum conditions: Check that contracts include clear conditions on price, quality, delivery deadlines and payment terms in accordance with the approved model.
- Update contracts before signing seasonal agreements: Any forage purchase and sale contract for the 2026/2027 season must conform to the approved model before it is signed.
- Inform the commercial and legal teams: Those who negotiate and draft contracts with producers must be aware of the minimum conditions of the new model to avoid signing agreements that breach the regulations.
- Retain documentation: Keep contracts signed in accordance with the approved model as evidence of compliance in the event of inspections or claims under the Ley de la Cadena Alimentaria.
Frequently asked questions
What is the approved standard forage contract and why is it mandatory?
It is the standard contractual model approved by Orden APA/303/2026 to regulate the purchase and sale of forage between agricultural producers and processing or commercialisation companies during the 2026/2027 season. Its use is required to comply with agri-food contracting regulations and the Ley de la Cadena Alimentaria.
What minimum conditions must the 2026/2027 forage contract include?
The approved standard contract includes conditions on price, quality, delivery deadlines and payment terms. These minimum conditions are mandatory for both parties in any forage purchase and sale agreement during this season.
What happens if a processing company does not adapt its contract to the approved model?
Failure to comply with the minimum conditions established in the approved standard contract may result in administrative penalties, as set out in Orden APA/303/2026.
When does Orden APA/303/2026 on forage come into force?
Orden APA/303/2026 entered into force on 13 March 2026, although it was published in the BOE on 1 April 2026. It applies to the 2026/2027 season.
Who is affected by the approval of the standard forage contract?
It directly affects agricultural forage producers and processing and commercialisation companies in the sector operating during the 2026/2027 season.
Official source
View full regulation at the official sourceDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7424