EU imposes new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian agricultural goods, fertilisers

The European Union has introduced fresh tariffs on a range of agricultural products and certain fertilisers imported from Russia and Belarus, targeting goods that had previously not faced additional customs duties.

The new measures aim to curb the EU’s reliance on these imports while cutting into Russian export revenues, thereby limiting Moscow’s capacity to fund its ongoing war against Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Council of the EU.

These tariffs will be implemented gradually, with increases on fertilisers phased in over a three-year transition period to safeguard the EU fertiliser industry and local farmers.

Poland, currently holding the EU Presidency, emphasises the importance of economic security amid geopolitical tensions.

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

Once in effect, expected by July 1, 2025, the tariffs will cover all agricultural products from Russia not yet subject to customs duties, representing about 15% of the country’s agricultural exports to the EU in 2023. For fertilisers, the new duties will focus on certain nitrogen-based products.

The EU expects the new tariffs to help diversify supply chains, reducing dependence on Russian and Belarusian imports while promoting domestic production. This strategy also aims to maintain fertiliser affordability for European farmers amid global market uncertainties.

In 2023, fertiliser imports from Russia accounted for over a quarter of the EU’s total fertiliser imports — around 3.6 million tonnes valued at approximately EUR 1.28 billion.

The European Commission first proposed these measures on January 28, 2025 as part of a broader effort to weaken Russia’s war economy and that of its allies involved in the aggression against Ukraine.

By Aghakazim Guliyev