The European Commission has approved a substantial €170 million state aid package for Bulgarian farmers who are grappling with increasing fuel and fertiliser costs due to the ongoing Middle East crisis. This financial support will be allocated in the form of direct grants to agricultural producers, aiming to mitigate the impact of these rising input costs.
Under the terms of the aid package, individual agricultural companies in Bulgaria can receive grants of up to €50,000. The aid is required to be distributed to the farmers by December 31, 2026, providing a significant window for the allocation of these funds.
This latest aid initiative follows a similar scheme approved in 2024, wherein approximately €169 million was sanctioned to assist Bulgarian farmers affected by escalating energy costs and the economic repercussions of the war in Ukraine. The ongoing support underscores the European Union’s commitment to stabilizing the agricultural sector amid global economic challenges.