EU adopts new tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods 

On 12 June, the Council of the European Union 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, aiming to reduce EU dependence on those imports. 

The regulation also aims 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.

Once the legislation enters into force by 1 July 2025, 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. EU imports of the affected fertiliser from Russia were worth €1.28 billion in 2023. 

In addition to weakening Russia’s war economy, the new tariffs will help to reduce the EU’s dependence on Russia and Belarus, boosting diversification of supply and domestic production. This ensures a stable fertiliser supply and, crucially, maintains affordability for EU farmers.

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Press release