EU imposes tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus

The European Union plans to gradually restrict imports from these countries to weaken the Kremlin’s economic ability to finance the war against Ukraine.

The Council of the European Union has approved a new regulation that provides for additional duties on agricultural products and certain types of fertilizers from Russia and Belarus. This was reported by the press service of the ministry.

This decision is aimed at reducing the EU’s economic dependence on imports from these countries and reducing Russia’s export revenues.

The duties will be introduced gradually over three years to give European farmers and fertilizer producers time to adapt. The measures will cover about 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023. As for fertilizers, the restrictions will primarily apply to nitrogen-containing products. It is expected that the duty rate will reach 430 euros per tonne by 2028.

“These measures increase the EU’s economic security by reducing its dependence on Russia and reducing its ability to finance a brutal war,” stressed Michal Baranowski, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology of Poland.

The regulation provides for the application of duties to all agricultural products from Russia after entry into force. The EU expects that these measures will stimulate the diversification of supplies, support domestic production and ensure stable and affordable supplies of fertilizers to European farmers.

USM previously reported that in July the EU will introduce duties of up to 100% on fertilizers from the Russian Federation and Belarus.