[European Parliament Approves Punitive Tariffs on Russian and Belarusian Fertilizers and Agricultural Products]
On May 22, the European Parliament voted to approve the imposition of prohibitive tariffs on fertilizers and specific agricultural products from Russia and its ally Belarus.
Certain nitrogen fertilizer tariffs will rise from 6.5% over three years to approximately equivalent levels of around 100%, effectively terminating related trade; agricultural products will be subject to an additional 50% tariff. The European Parliament stated in a statement that "the proceeds from the sale of Russian and Belarusian fertilizers are considered direct financial support for the war in Ukraine."
The new regulations will take effect on July 1, with an initial tariff rate of 6.5% for fertilizers. From 2025 to 2026, it will be levied at 40-45 euros per ton, rising to 430 euros per ton by 2028.
In 2023, over 70% of the EU's nitrogen fertilizer consumption depended on imports, of which 25% came from Russia (3.6 million tons annually), with import value of about 1.3 billion euros. Russian agricultural products accounted for 15% of the EU's imported agricultural products (those not previously taxed), valued at 380 million euros, including meat, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.
In March 2025, Russia's fertilizer exports to Europe reached 206.1 million euros, the highest since November 2022, with major buyers being Poland (86.1 million euros) and Germany (24.4 million euros).
This round of sanctions on Russia and Belarus also includes exceptions: agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia transshipped through the EU to third countries are temporarily exempt from sanctions to avoid disrupting global supply chains (especially developing countries).
Data shows that in 2023, the EU imported 92 million euros worth of agricultural products and 30 million euros worth of fertilizers from Belarus, much smaller than from Russia. That year, Russia exported 4.2 million tons of grain and oilseeds to the EU, valued at approximately 1.3 billion euros.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832882672811008/
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