MEPs have given the green light for new tariffs on certain agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, raising them by 50% to help reduce the EU’s reliance on these countries. The International Trade Committee backtracked on a proposal from the European Commission to increase tariffs on specific products that are still exempt from other customs duties.
This move targets sugars, vinegar, flour, and animal feed. Notably, imports of fertilisers such as urea and nitrogen from Russia, which were already high in 2023, have surged in 2024. The Commission noted that relying on these imports creates an economic dependence on Russia, which could threaten EU food security and make the region vulnerable to potential pressure from Russia. Thus, on 28 January 2025, the Commission introduced a plan to impose tariffs on fertilisers and certain agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus.
The plan also includes a 6.5% tariff on fertilisers and additional charges of €40 to €45 per tonne for 2025-2026. These charges are set to jump to €430 per tonne by 2028. The earnings from Russian and Belarusian fertilisers are viewed as directly supporting the war against Ukraine.
“This regulation to gradually increase customs duties for products from Russia and Belarus will help to prevent Russia from using the EU market to finance its war machine. It is not acceptable that three years after Russia launched its full-scale war, the EU is still buying critical products in large volumes; in fact, these imports have significantly increased.
The proposal will also boost EU fertiliser production, which has taken a hit from cheap Russian imports, while giving farmers time to adjust,” the standing rapporteur for Russia Inese Vaidere (EPP, LV) said.
These measures are expected to significantly cut down on imports from Russia and Belarus, which should help diversify EU fertiliser production, which is currently struggling with low import prices. The legislation also requires that the Commission keep an eye on price hikes that could harm the internal market and the EU agriculture sector.
The draft regulation passed with 29 votes in favour, six against, and two abstentions. Next, it will head for a vote in Parliament’s upcoming plenary session in Brussels on Thursday, 22 May.
