Commission approves €500,000 Slovenian State aid for agriculture, fishery and marine aquaculture companies facing increased fuel prices

The European Commission has approved a €500,0000 Slovenian State aid scheme for agriculture, fishery and marine aquaculture companies facing increased fuel 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.

Slovenia notified to the Commission a €500,000 scheme to support companies active in the agriculture, fishery and marine aquaculture sectors. The scheme, which will run until 31 March 2027, aims to mitigate the impact of the increase in agricultural and marine fuel prices. The aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme concerns the grant of a limited amount of aid covering up to 70% of the additional costs arising from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis and incurred during the eligible period.

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 the primary production of agricultural, fishery and marine aquaculture 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 Slovenian scheme under EU State aid rules.