The European Commission has approved a €149 million (SEK 1.6 billion) state aid scheme for agricultural, fishing and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices due to the Middle East crisis.
The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme concerns the grant of a limited amount of aid based on the increase of the prices of fuel and fertilizers. The aid intensity corresponds to 85% of the estimated increase in fuel and nitrogen fertilizer costs for agricultural companies and in fuel costs for the fishery and aquaculture companies. The aid will not exceed €50,000 per company.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables member states to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF.
The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of agricultural products. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.
A press release is available online.