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The European Commission has approved a €500 million state aid scheme designed to support Spanish agricultural businesses affected by rising fertilizer prices due to the crisis in the Middle East. The measure, approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.
The aid will take the form of direct grants. Companies can receive €22 per hectare for dryland and €55 per hectare for irrigated land, for a maximum of 300 hectares per beneficiary. The aid will cover up to 70% of the additional fertiliser costs resulting from the Middle East crisis, seeking to mitigate the economic impact on agricultural production and ensure the stability of the food supply.
The Commission assessed the plan in accordance with European state aid rules and concluded that the measure is necessary, proportionate, and temporary, and does not adversely affect competition in a manner contrary to the common interest. The scheme provides immediate support to the most vulnerable agricultural businesses, ensuring that the crisis does not irreversibly jeopardize their economic development.
METSAF, the temporary framework adopted by the Commission on April 29, 2026, enables Member States to respond swiftly to the crisis in the Middle East by providing direct support to vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, transportation, and energy-intensive industries. It also includes temporary adjustments to facilitate more flexible aid in response to rising energy prices.
May 28, 2026 / European Commission/ European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu/
