Description
Agri and ESG Loans: Overview of Agricultural Sector Loans and ESG-Related Loans for SME Clients
Agriculture is currently one of the most innovative industries, which reduces the traditional risks associated with financing the agricultural sector. At the same time, agribusiness has proven to be relatively resilient during economic downturns. In practice, loans provided to agricultural businesses are generally well-serviced by borrowers. As more banks across Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia continue to finance agribusinesses, interest in these products has been steadily growing year after year.
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is also gaining importance across the region. “Green finance,” energy efficiency, and energy-saving technologies are becoming increasingly relevant. Following the global trend, banks are actively developing and launching financial products with ESG components, including those targeting the SME segment.
That’s why, as part of its SME financing research series, SME Banking Agency decided to explore both directions — agri and ESG — in the scope of this study.
Which banks were analyzed?
In 2024, the analysis focused only on banks from the SME Banking Agency’s target list of “SME Banks” in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia that provide investment financing for SMEs.
- Number of banks (agri) – 49 (+1)
- Number of loan products (agri) – 91 (+1)
- Number of banks (ESG) – 29 (+17)
- Number of loan products (ESG) – 39 (+22)
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