The EC proposed introducing “prohibitively high” duties on grain from Russia

The European Commission has proposed introducing “prohibitively high” customs tariffs on grain from Russia and Belarus, which is tantamount to a ban on their import, explained EC Deputy Head Valdis Dombrovskis. Today the EC officially announced duties on grain from Russia.

“The European Commission has proposed a de facto ban on the supply of grain, sunflower seeds and feed crops from Russia and Belarus to the EU internal market by setting tariffs so high that it makes their import into the EU economically unprofitable,” Valdis Dombrovskis said at a briefing in Brussels. At the same time, as stated, the duties will not affect the supply of grain to third countries. The proposal will now be considered by the EU Council.

According to an EC press release, raising tariffs will prevent destabilization of the EU market and prevent Russia from using revenues from grain exports to the EU in the conflict in Ukraine. “With Russia exporting approximately €1.3 billion worth of such products to the EU in 2023, these EU tariffs will deprive the Russian economy of another important source of profit,” the release said.

According to sources Financial Times, the duty will be set at €95 per ton. In 2023, imports of Russian grain into the EU countries amounted to 4 million tons, or 1% of grain consumption in Europe.

Read more about the new EU sanctions in the material “Russian money was not divided in the European Union”.

Anastasia Larina