Farmers hit by higher fertiliser prices after the Middle East crisis could get emergency aid paid per hectare or per square metre. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MZH) has published an ordinance for public comment that sets this out.
The money will cover part of fertiliser costs in 2026. The amount does not depend on how much a farmer grows or at what price the crop is sold.
The national rules are in the "Ordinance on the terms and procedure for granting emergency financial aid to farmers affected by specific problems arising from the crisis in the Middle East, which affect their economic viability".
The aid is for growers of fruit and vegetables, including in greenhouses, as well as table and wine grapes, oil-bearing roses, potatoes and cultivated mushrooms. It covers tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, onions, garlic, cabbage, carrots, raspberries, strawberries, watermelons, melons, plums, apricots, apples, pears, cherries, sour cherries and peaches, as well as potatoes, vineyards, roses and mushrooms.
Farmers can claim payment if their land with these crops has been approved under the "Basic income support for sustainability" scheme for the 2026 campaign.
Mushroom growers must meet separate conditions. They must be registered as cultivated mushroom growers under Ordinance No 3 of 1999, using the survey form for the 2025/2026 farming year. Their areas must also have been approved in an on-site check for de minimis aid for 2025.
Bulgaria receives €11,615,100 from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund. EU rules let the state add up to 200% of that sum, or up to €23,230,200 in national funding.
The EU money must reach eligible applicants by 28 February 2027. The national top-up will be paid through the State Fund "Agriculture" by 31 May 2027, if the fund has money in its budget.
The measure is part of state aid known as the "Iranian aid", with a total budget of up to €170m. Last week the ministry approved the guidelines "Support for farmers working in primary agricultural production in connection with the crisis in the Middle East", which started the administrative procedure for the aid.