EU plans tariffs on farm produce and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus

The European Commission has proposed the imposition of additional tariffs on agricultural products and certain nitrogen-based fertilizers from Russia and Belarus, citing concerns over EU food security. This decision follows previous tariff increases on grain imports from these countries, which were implemented last year.

The new tariffs would affect approximately 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023, which had not been previously subjected to increased duties. The focus on nitrogen-based fertilizers aims to bolster EU domestic production and encourage diversification of supply sources beyond Russia and Belarus.

The Commission articulated that the proposed measures are intended to curtail Russian export revenues, undermine Moscow’s capacity to sustain its military operations against Ukraine, and lessen the EU’s dependency on imports from these nations. According to the Commission, the potential vulnerability of the EU to Russia’s fertilizer imports poses a significant risk to the region’s food security.

Tariff adjustments include specific provisions to mitigate potential adverse impacts on EU farmers, should they experience substantial price surges due to these changes. However, the tariffs will not impede the transit of Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports to third countries.

Previously, the EU had refrained from sanctioning Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to avoid disrupting global supply chains, especially those serving developing countries. The new proposal is set to take effect following anticipated approval by EU governments and the European Parliament, mirroring the procedural timeline of last year’s tariff enactments, which took about two months to be enforced.