(16)Given the Middle East crisis and the resulting rise of fertiliser prices and the exposure of farmers to financial risk, the current advance payment level is no longer sufficient. In order to support farmers who are experiencing liquidity problems, and since the effects of this crisis are highly likely to persist throughout the year 2026, it is appropriate to change the maximum rates for advances for direct payments in Regulation (EU) 2021/2116, to enable a higher rate to be paid for that calendar year. It is appropriate to increase the maximum rate of advances for direct payments from 70 % to 75 %, within the limit laid down in Article 11 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and the Councilnote.