A vote took place in Brussels that determined the next steps for the European Union regarding the import of agricultural fertilizers. On May 22, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the introduction of new customs tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers coming from Belarus and Russia, starting from July 1 of this year.
This is reported by Київ24
Mechanism for Introducing New Tariffs
Under the new rules, the existing tariff of 6.5% will remain in effect until mid-2026. However, from that date, additional tariffs ranging from 40 to 45 euros per ton will be added, which are expected to gradually rise to 430 euros by 2028. Such a high tariff will make the import of nitrogen fertilizers from Belarus and Russia economically unfeasible, encouraging European companies to seek alternative suppliers.
Future Prospects and Geopolitical Impact
According to reports, in 2023, the EU imported 3.6 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers from Russia worth 1.28 billion euros, accounting for 25% of total imports. Last year, this figure increased to 4.4 million tons, representing about 30% of all imports. The volume of trade with Belarus was significantly lower—only 30 million euros.
The European Union aims to reduce dependence on Russian and Belarusian goods, particularly agricultural products and fertilizers. On May 22, an increase in tariffs on sugar, vinegar, flour, animal feed, and other goods was also agreed upon as part of a program to reduce import dependency.
“The goal is to reduce dependence on imports from Russia and Belarus to prevent potential risks to the stability of the EU market”
The changes also include the exclusion of Belarusian and Russian goods from EU customs quotas, complicating their supply under the old tariffs. This decision is driven by the EU’s dependence on Russian fertilizers, which exceeded 25% in 2023, posing a threat to market stability.
As part of the economic pressure on Russia and Belarus, the EU has intensified measures to restrict the import of agricultural products, including meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and beverages. The new tariffs are expected to take effect four weeks after the official publication of the regulation aimed at replacing imports with alternative suppliers, such as those from Algeria or Egypt.