Bulgaria's farm ministry says fruit and vegetable growers will get an advance on their production-linked aid for the first time in 2026. The money should reach them by 10 November.

The advance is 50% of the planned unit rate for each scheme. The State Fund Agriculture (SFA) pays it to farmers who grow fruit and vegetables under the coupled income support schemes. The legal basis is Bulgaria's Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas for 2023–2027.

The ministry links the decision to the crisis in the Middle East and its harmful effects on farmers, including the risk of a cash shortage. It says the advance should ease short-term cash problems, pay for farm work and keep production going.

Earlier this month, SFA managers met representatives of the Fruit and Vegetables Trade Chamber to discuss the advance. The fund confirmed that its indicative schedule sets aside 30% of the 2026 coupled support for the period from 20 October to 10 November 2026. The schedule of subsidy payments to the end of 2026 is on the SFA website.

The amounts apply to each hectare eligible for aid under the scheme. Fruit growers get €469.39 per hectare for the first 30 hectares inclusive and €312.93 for land above 30 hectares. Orchards that have not yet begun to bear fruit get €217.30 per hectare.

For tomatoes, cucumbers, gherkins and aubergines, the advance is €515.36 per hectare up to and including the 30th hectare and €343.57 for each hectare after that. For peppers, the sums are €629.30 and €419.54, and for onions and garlic €358.46 and €238.98. For carrots, cabbage, watermelons and melons, farmers will get €276 per hectare for the first 30 hectares inclusive and €184 for land above that.

Seed potatoes get €466 per hectare, greenhouse production €4,092.22, and fruit and vegetables in mountain areas €607.29 per hectare.

Full payments for the livestock sector are set for the first half of December.