The European Council has adopted a regulation introducing new tariffs on certain agricultural products and fertilisers from Russia and Belarus that were not previously subject to additional customs duties.
According to the Council’s press release, the decision aims to reduce the European Union’s reliance on imports from the two countries and to support diversification and domestic production within the EU.
The regulation outlines a phased implementation of tariff increases on selected nitrogen-based fertilisers over a three-year transition period, allowing time for adjustment by the EU’s agricultural and fertiliser industries.
Michał Baranowski, Undersecretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, commented that the move is intended to strengthen the EU’s economic resilience and reduce critical dependencies in key sectors.
Once in effect, the measure will extend tariffs to all agricultural products from Russia, as most items in this category are already subject to customs duties. The newly covered goods accounted for approximately 15% of Russian agricultural imports into the EU in 2023.
The regulation is also expected to support market stability by ensuring a diversified fertiliser supply chain and maintaining cost-effectiveness for EU farmers.
The new tariff framework will come into effect by 1 July 2025.
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