The European Commission has approved a €285 million Italian state aid scheme to support agricultural, fishing and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel and fertilizer 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 scheme, which will run until 31 December 2026, aims at mitigating the impact of the increase in agricultural fuel and fertiliser prices, as well as in fishery and aquaculture fuel prices. The aid will take the form of direct grants and tax advantages. For the agricultural sector, the amount will be determined based on estimates of fuel and fertiliser consumption. For the fishery and aquaculture sectors, it will be based on estimates of fuel consumption.
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, the 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. On this basis, the Commission approved the Italian regional scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the METSAF is available online. The non-confidential versions of today’s decision will be made available under case number SA.123714, in the state aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.