EU imposes increased import duties on grain from Russia and Belarus

On July 1, the European Union introduced significantly higher import duties on some Russian and Belarusian agricultural products, including grain.

This was reported by the European Pravda.

According to the decision adopted in May, duties on grain imports from Russia and Belarus have now increased significantly, reaching 50% of the market price for some types of grain.

The EU regulation increased import tariffs on grains, oilseeds and their products, as well as beet pulp pellets and dried peas from the Russian Federation and Belarus.

The tariffs are intended to virtually stop grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU in order to prevent destabilization of the EU grain market, to stop Russian exports of stolen Ukrainian grain, and to prevent Russia from using the proceeds of its exports to the EU to finance its war against Ukraine.

Many agricultural products imported from Russia and Belarus have so far been exempted from EU import tariffs or subject to low rates.

Back in March, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said that higher tariffs on certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural products would effectively stop them from entering the EU market.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Navickas said in late May that the EU should extend restrictions to all agricultural products of Russian and Belarusian origin.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 01/07/2024