Reminder: Annual renewal 2026 for EU-accredited media professionals
The renewal of the annual accreditations is ongoing. All media representatives who are based in Belgium and cover EU affairs can request an annual, interinstitutional accreditation, which is valid for the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council. Applications should be submitted until 28 February 2026. More information is available online, and for questions, please contact the press accreditation team.
(For more information: Inita Saveljeva – Tel.: +32 2 295 43 85)
EU agri-food trade eased in November 2025
The latest agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that the EUs agri-food trade eased in November 2025, after peaking in October. It retained a solid footing against challenging market conditions caused by high import prices.
Between January and November 2025, the cumulative EU agri-food surplus reached €46.1 billion. This is below the same period in 2024, largely due to high import prices. After a very strong performance in October, EU agri-food exports returned to more typical levels in November, while imports remained high. The monthly surplus in November 2025 reached €4.1 billion.
In November 2025, EU agri-food exports were worth a total of €19.7 billion, down 2% compared to November 2024. Despite this, cumulative exports reached €219.2 billion by November, an increase of €2.8 billion (+1%) on the same period in 2024. The EU remains a major exporter of agri-food products.
Imports to the EU remained high. EU agri-food imports reached €15.6 billion in November 2025, up 1% both month-on-month and year-on-year. From January to November, cumulative imports amounted to €173.1 billion, an increase of €15.9 billion (+10%) compared with the same period in 2024, due to higher prices of imported commodities.
More insights as well as detailed tables are available in the latest edition of the monthly EU agri-food trade report.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)
Commission approves €3.1 billion Spanish State aid support for cogenerated electricity
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €3.1 billion Spanish scheme to support the production of electricity from new or substantially refurbished highly efficient combined heat and power (‘CHP) plants. The measure will contribute to the implementation of Spains National Energy and Climate Plan, the Clean Industrial Deal and the EUs energy efficiency targets.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of a remuneration premium that consists of two components: (i) compensation for investments and (ii) compensation for operations.
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 under the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy. Under the Guidelines, Member States can support energy efficiency through production of electricity in high-efficiency cogeneration, subject to certain conditions.
The Commission found that the scheme facilitates the development of certain economic activities, has an ‘incentive effect, is necessary and appropriate and that its positive effects outweigh any potential negative effects.
On this basis, the Commission approved the Spanish scheme.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.114058 in the State aid register on the Commissions competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
Commission clears acquisition of Fast Group by ECI
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of FAST ČR, a.s. (‘Fast Group) by EC Investments a.s. (‘ECI), both of Czechia.
The transaction relates primarily to the wholesale and retail of electronics and other non-food products.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the market structure. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12219.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)
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