The European Union produces more than 300 million tons of grains and oilseeds every year and does not need imports from the Russian Federation and Belarus.
The European Union is preparing to introduce tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus to appease farmers and some member countries. These are the first planned restrictions on Russian food products since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the issue.
In the coming days, the European Commission will announce a tariff of 95 euros per ton on grains from Russia and Belarus, which will lead to a price increase of at least 50%. This should destroy the need for grain from the aggressor countries, media interlocutors explained.
Tariffs of 50% will also be set for oilseeds and their processed products. In 2023, imports from Russia of grains, oilseeds and their derivatives will reach a record four million tons, representing 1% of the EU’s total consumption.
The European Union produces more than 300 million tons of grains and oilseeds per year and is a net exporter of the former, therefore it does not need imports from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
The EU representative noted that grain prices are at a four-year low, while Russia is “very competitive in grain markets and exerting great pressure.”
The duty will be set at the highest level allowed by WTO rules. Russia may retaliate, but it has already banned most food imports from the EU and many European companies in the sector have left the country in recent years.
In the past, Poland adopted a resolution on sanctions on agricultural products from the Russian Federation and Belarus.
Before this, Latvia banned the import of agricultural products from the Russian Federation and Belarus.
As we have already written, the Czech Republic will propose at a meeting of the European Council to ban the import of Russian and Belarusian grain to the European Union.
Source: korrespondent
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