Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft

What Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft does

Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLUK) is a federal government ministry of the Republic of Austria headquartered at Stubenring 1 in Vienna, with 378 employees. The ministry is responsible for policy areas including agriculture, food, forestry, climate and environmental protection, regional and spatial development, and water management. It is led by Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig and operates under the direction of the Austrian federal government.

BMLUK's core programmes include the ÖPUL agricultural environmental programme (614 million euros annual budget, covering 1.851 million hectares or 83% of Austrian agricultural land across 26 measures) and GAP strategy plan implementation, with 1.386 billion euros distributed to Austrian farmers in December 2024 alone. The ministry operates several digital platforms including the Kostbar Markt food redistribution platform (824 tonnes of surplus food distributed to over 80 charitable institutions during pilot phase), the Wasserentnahmeregister digital water withdrawal monitoring system, the DaFNE.at research database, interactive GIS applications, and the Digitale Förderplattform (DFP) operated by AMA for CAP subsidy applications.

As a public-sector institution, BMLUK does not generate commercial revenue. It is funded through the Austrian federal budget and distributes EU-co-financed agricultural subsidies (approximately 50% EU funds for ÖPUL measures) through its implementation partner Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA). The ministry's primary stakeholders are Austrian farmers, citizens, federal states and municipalities, research institutions, and food industry participants across all nine Austrian Bundesländer.

Name

Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft

Legal name

Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft

Website

https://bmluk.gv.at

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

BMLUK is Austria's federal ministry for agriculture, forestry, climate and environmental protection, regions, and water management, administering EU-co-financed agricultural subsidies and digital public services across all nine federal states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Agricultural Policy

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Forestry (800)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADALAG

Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYBPADALAH

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYBPAIAJAE

Environmental Public Health (Food Safety, Water Quality, Sanitation)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Public Health Administration & Regulation

SECONDARYBPADALAM

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Agricultural policy administration
• Agri-environmental subsidy programs
• Forestry and water management
• Rural development funding
• Climate and environmental regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

BMLUK is the Austrian Federal Ministry responsible for developing and implementing national policy across agriculture, forestry, water management, climate and environmental protection, regional development, and food. It administers the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Austria, distributes over 1.3 billion euros annually in agricultural subsidies through AMA, operates the ÖPUL agri-environmental programme covering 1.85 million hectares, and provides digital services including funding platforms, GIS applications, a research database, and the Kostbar Markt food redistribution platform.

Product overview

Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLUK) is Austria's Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management. Rather than a commercial product company, the ministry provides digital services and government programs including ÖPUL (the agricultural environmental program with 26 measures), the Kostbar Markt food redistribution platform, the Wasserentnahmeregister digital water monitoring system, and comprehensive statistics services. The ministry also administers EU-funded programs including EIP-AGRI innovation projects and the GAP-Strategieplan for agricultural policy implementation. The digital offerings are primarily web-based portals serving citizens, farmers, and researchers rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ÖPUL (Österreichisches Programm für umweltgerechte, extensive und den natürlichen Lebensraum schützende Landwirtschaft): Agricultural environmental program promoting sustainable farming practices, biodiversity, and environmental protection. Part of the Common Agricultural Policy implementation in Austria.
• Agrarumweltprogramm (Agricultural Environmental Programme)

Products and services

• ÖPUL (Agrarumweltprogramm) Austria's agricultural environmental programme promoting environmentally friendly, extensive agriculture that protects natural habitats. The current ÖPUL 2023 offers 26 measures with approximately 614 million euros in annual funding, covering 89,794 farms and 1.85 million hectares of agricultural land.
• Kostbar Markt An online platform commissioned by BMLUK that mediates surplus food from agriculture, production and trade to charitable institutions. During its pilot phase, 824 tonnes of food were distributed to over 80 non-profit organizations across Austria.
• Wasserentnahmeregister A digital water withdrawal register under development to provide better transparency over actual water withdrawals in Austria, supporting long-term water supply security and climate change impact assessment.
• Statistiken und Zahlen Comprehensive statistical data services covering agricultural economics, forestry, water management, agricultural markets, plant and animal production, environmental protection, climate protection, and circular economy.
• EIP-AGRI (Europäische Innovationspartnerschaft) EU-funded measure supporting Operational Groups in implementing innovation projects to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability through closer integration of farming practice with science and advisory services.
• GAP-Strategieplan (Gemeinsame Agrarpolitik) The EU Common Agricultural Policy strategy plan for Austria (2023-2027) encompassing direct payments, rural development, and agricultural environmental measures.
• dafne.at Forschungsplattform

Quantifiable outcome

• 824 tonnes of surplus food redistributed to over 80 charitable organizations via Kostbar Markt platform
• +5 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Europäische Kommission (European Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMLUK collaborates with the European Commission on implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the CAP Strategic Plan for Austria 2023-2027. The EU co-finances ÖPUL measures at approximately 50% and eco-regulations at 100%. The European Commission approves programme changes, such as the 12th programme amendment for LE 14-20 approved on 28 October 2025.
• Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAMA serves as the implementing body for GAP payments in Austria, operating the Digital Funding Platform (DFP) for subsidy applications. AMA processes ÖPUL payments, direct payments, compensation allowances, and CO2 rebates. In 2024, AMA distributed 1.386 billion euros to Austrian farmers.
• Statistik AustriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatistik Austria provides comprehensive agricultural, forestry, and water management statistics that support BMLUK's evidence-based policy making. Data sources include agricultural structure surveys, producer prices, agricultural accounts, foreign trade statistics, and forestry accounts. These statistics are published on BMLUK's statistics pages.
• Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich (Austrian Chamber of Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich collaborates with BMLUK on agricultural advisory services, farmer training, and the implementation of rural development measures. Annual reports document cooperation on agricultural extension services and professional development for farmers.
• Europäisches GAP-Netzwerk (European CAP Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European CAP Network serves as a forum for knowledge and information exchange between national CAP networks, organisations, administrations, researchers, businesses and practitioners in agriculture and rural policy. It connects research and practice, brings together people and different types of innovative projects, and organises events including focus groups, seminars, workshops, and project visits.
• Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land (Future Rural Space Land Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetzwerk Zukunftsraum Land is the national Austrian GAP networking body supporting implementation of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. It makes the national CAP strategy plan visible and actively supports optimal application and implementation through suitable activities and networking. It maintains a project database for LE 14-20 and LE 07-13 projects and supports applicants with the DFP digital platform.
• Österreichische Bundesforste (Austrian Federal Forests)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMLUK works with the Austrian Federal Forests (Österreichische Bundesforste) on expanding public recreation areas and lake access. In 2025, approximately 8,000 square metres were purchased and 5,000 square metres leased at Attersee lake to create public access.
• European Innovation Partnership EIP-AGRImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIP-AGRI supports operational groups in implementing innovation projects to increase agricultural productivity while reducing resource consumption and increasing resilience and sustainability. BMLUK funds operational groups through CAP measure 77-06. The interactive innovation model involves all relevant actors with complementary backgrounds to co-create and share knowledge, best practices and innovative solutions.
• Horizon EuropemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMLUK participates in Horizon Europe multi-actor projects, the EU's research and innovation framework programme. These projects apply the multi-actor approach ensuring broad sharing of results through wide dissemination and sufficient participation of project actors, with active involvement of end users throughout the project.
• #PlantHealth4Life EU CampaignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe EU-wide #PlantHealth4Life campaign raises awareness about risks of importing plants and plant products from non-EU countries, their impact on plant diversity, species protection and agriculture. BMLUK participates in this EU plant health campaign during the holiday season.
• HERMIT LEER (Lithium Battery Awareness)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to raise awareness about dangers of disposing batteries in regular waste. Lithium batteries can cause fires if mechanically damaged. The ministry links to hermitleer.at for information on safe battery disposal.
• BFW ( Bundesforschungszentrum für Wald)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Austrian Federal Research Centre for Forests provides soil mapping data (eBOD digital soil map), pest organism registries, and forestry research that supports BMLUK's forestry and soil protection policies.
• AGES (Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGES supports BMLUK with agricultural research, plant variety confirmation services for ÖPUL's rare crop varieties measure, and food safety expertise. AGES provides confirmation services for rare crop varieties grown under ÖPUL measures.
• Sichere Almen (Safe Alpine Pastures)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBMLUK collaborates with the 'Sichere Almen' initiative (sichere-almen.at) which promotes safe coexistence on Austrian alpine pastures, providing rules for proper handling of grazing livestock for hikers and visitors.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• European Commission DG AGRI: EU's directorate-general for agriculture and rural development. Overarching authority that designs the CAP framework BMLUK implements, co-finances BMLUK programmes, and approves amendments such as the 12th LE 14-20 amendment approved October 2025.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): U.S. federal department overseeing agriculture, forestry, rural development and food safety. Broader incumbent operating analogous functions (Farm Service Agency subsidies, Forest Service, NRCS conservation programmes) at much larger scale across a non-EU jurisdiction.
• European Environment Agency (EEA): EU agency providing environmental data and assessments that complement BMLUK's national environmental monitoring role. Overlaps with BMLUK's mandate on water quality, climate, and ecosystem indicators.

Direct peers

• Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL): Germany's federal ministry for food and agriculture. Closest structural peer given shared federal structure, CAP implementation responsibility, and similar scope over agricultural subsidies, food safety, and rural development programmes.
• Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté alimentaire: France's ministry of agriculture. Direct peer operating the French CAP Strategic Plan, administering major agricultural subsidy programmes (similar €10B+ scale) and overseeing national food policy implementation across another large EU member state.
• DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): UK's department covering environment, food and rural affairs — closely mirrors BMLUK's combined mandate across agriculture, environment/climate, forestry, and rural development under a single department structure.
• Ministero dell'Agricoltura, della Sovranità Alimentare e delle Foreste: Italy's ministry of agriculture, food sovereignty and forests. Direct peer given the shared forestry mandate (rare among EU agricultural ministries), CAP implementation responsibilities, and comparable Mediterranean-Alpine agricultural policy mix.

Others

• Bundesforschungszentrum für Wald (BFW): Austrian federal forest research centre providing soil mapping, pest organism registries, and forestry research that informs BMLUK's forestry policies. Closely allied research-adjacent institution under BMLUK's broader policy umbrella.
• Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich (Austrian Chamber of Agriculture): Statutory agricultural chamber delivering advisory services, farmer training, and rural development implementation in coordination with BMLUK. Closely related ecosystem partner rather than a regulator peer.

Regional players

• Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA): Austrian national paying agency and implementation partner that operates the Digital Funding Platform processing BMLUK's subsidy applications. Operates under BMLUK oversight and distributed €1.386 billion in GAP payments in December 2024 alone.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BMLUK_gv_at
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaB-Uq17krPJeGvuv0xGlmw/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/BMLUK.gv.at
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bmluk
• Instagraminstagram.com/bmluk.at

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft