Commission approves €37.6 million Romanian State aid scheme to support the tomatoes and garlics’ producers in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved an approximately €37.6 million (RON 187 million) Romanian scheme to support the tomatoes and garlics’ producers in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.

Under the scheme, the aid will consist in limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to producers of tomatoes in protected spaces, such as greenhouses, and to producers of garlics, that are at risk of losing financial liquidity due to the difficulties in the agricultural market provoked by the Russia’s war against Ukraine.

In particular, under the Romanian scheme, the aid (i) will not exceed €280,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2024. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

Today’s decision follows further approvals on 9 February 2023 by the Commission of Romanian schemes to support other agricultural sectors (SA.111898, SA.111997 and SA.112165).

More information on the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine and foster the transition towards a net-zero economy can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.112600 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.