The Council has adopted its position, in view of negotiations with the European Parliament, on a regulation that will impose tariffs on the remaining agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as certain nitrogen-based fertilizers. The tariffs are expected to reduce Russian export revenues, thereby limiting Russia’s ability to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine.
The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of all agricultural imports from Russia (in 2023). Once the new tariffs come into force, all agricultural imports from Russia will be subject to EU tariffs.
In 2023, the imports of the concerned fertilisers from Russia represented over 25% of the Union’s total imports (around 3.6 million tonnes (worth EUR 1.28 billion).
| “We will carefully monitor the implementation of these tariffs to ensure that the EU fertiliser industry and farmers are protected, while simultaneously reducing EU dependencies, preserving global food security, and further weakening Russia’s war economy.” |
| — Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Development and Technology of Poland |
The tariffs aim to reduce the dependency from Russia and Belarus and boost domestic production and support the EU’s fertiliser industry, while ensuring that Russia does not benefit commercially from continuing to export to the Union. They will also allow for the diversification of supply from third countries to create a stable fertiliser supply and, crucially, to ensure that fertilisers remain affordable for EU farmers. The tariff increases for the fertilisers will take place gradually, over a transition period of three years.
The proposal also includes measures to mitigate the impact on EU farmers, should there be a significant rise in fertiliser prices.
Next Steps
Once the European Parliament has adopted its position, both institutions will need to agree on a common text. The Council will then formally adopt the regulation by qualified majority.
Background
On 28 January 2025, the Commission proposed the introduction of tariffs to reduce dependencies on imports from Russia and Belarus and to reinforce EU food security. This trade measure aligns with the objective of weakening Russia’s war economy, as well as that of third countries involved in the aggression against Ukraine.
- Council mandate
- Commission proposal
- EU sanctions against Russia (background information)
- Russia’s war against Ukraine (background information)
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