The EC approved EUR 168.9 million in state aid for farmers in Bulgaria

The European Commission has approved two Bulgarian state aid schemes of approximately €84 million (BGN 164 million) to support grain and oilseed producers and approximately €84.9 million (BGN 166 million) to support farmers in the context of the war Russia vs Ukraine. The schemes were approved under the Temporary Framework for State aid in crisis and transition, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and 2 May 2024.

Support will be limited in the form of direct grants. The first measure will be open to producers of certain cereals and oilseed crops (namely wheat, barley, rapeseed, maize and sunflower) who are at risk of losing financial liquidity due to the difficulties in the agricultural market caused by Russia's war against Ukraine. The second measure will be for primary agricultural producers in the sectors related to large and small ruminants, bee colonies, fruit and vegetables, rose oil, vineyards and tobacco, which are facing a lack of liquidity and are directly affected by the serious difficulties in the economy, caused by Russia's war against Ukraine.

The Commission found that the Bulgarian schemes are in accordance with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework for State Aid in Crisis and Transition. In particular, the aid i) does not exceed EUR 280,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) is provided no later than 31 December 2024. The Commission has concluded that the schemes are necessary, appropriate and proportionate to overcome serious difficulties in the economy of a Member State in accordance with Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework.

More information on the Temporary Framework for State Aid in Crisis and Transition can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decisions will be made available under numbers SA.116093 and SA.116092 in the State Aid Register on the Competition Commission's website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.