EU slaps new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian farm imports

The European Council has adopted a regulation that imposes new tariffs on the remaining agricultural products and certain fertilisers from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties, according to a press release from the Council.

The aim is to reduce EU dependence on those imports as well as to reduce Russian export revenues, thereby limiting its ability to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine. The implementation of these tariffs will be closely monitored to ensure that the EU fertiliser industry and farmers are protected.

The tariff increases on fertilisers will take place gradually, over a transition period of three years.

“Polish Presidency motto is ‘Security, Europe!’ and these measures increase our economic security by reducing dependencies from Russia,” said Michał Baranowski, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland, responsible for Trade. “We are further reducing Russia’s export revenues and therefore its ability to finance its brutal war. This is united Europe at its best.”

Once the legislation enters into force, EU tariffs will apply to all agricultural products from Russia, as other agricultural goods are already subject to customs duties.

The new tariffs will apply to goods that made up around 15% of all agricultural imports from Russia in 2023. As in the case of fertilisers, the new tariffs will apply to certain nitrogen-based products.

In addition to weakening Russia’s war economy, the new tariffs will help reduce the EU’s dependence on Russia and Belarus, and will boost diversification and domestic production. It will allow for the diversification of supply, ensuring a stable fertiliser supply and, crucially, maintaining affordability for EU farmers.

The regulation will enter into force by 1 July 2025.

Tags: Russia, agricultural products, Belarus, imports, fertilisers, European Council, tariffs