Prohibitive tariffs on Russian and Belarusian grain were introduced in Europe

The Council of the European Union adopted a resolution imposing tariffs on grain and oil crops and processed products from Russia and Belarus. As noted, the specified duties will amount to 95 euros for 1 ton of grain and 50% per ton of oilseeds. This indicator in practice marks the end of the import of these products. 

The aforementioned resolution increases import tariffs on grain, oil and derived products, as well as on beet pulp granules and dried peas from Russia and Belarus. Currently, importers pay no or low duties on them. In addition, these goods will be deprived of access to the tariff quotas of the European Union.

The new tariffs are aimed at practically stopping the import of grain from the mentioned countries to the European Union. Thus, these measures will prevent the destabilization of the European grain market, stop the Russian export of illegally appropriated Ukrainian grain, and prevent the aggressor from using the income from exports to the European Union to finance the war against Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by the Minister of Finance of Belgium, which currently presides over the EU, Vincent Van Peteghem. The adopted decision will enter into force on July 1 of the current year.

At the same time, European countries are studying the possibility of introducing prohibitive tariffs not only on grain crops, but also on any other food products originating from Russia and Belarus. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Aja Lyabib, said, the customs duty already introduced by the European Union on grain and oilseeds from the Russian Federation and Belarus is a tool to combat the sale of grain stolen in Ukraine.

In turn, Russia will look for other sales markets for these products. As the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, Oksana Lut, said, the EU's introduction of a barrier duty on Russian grain was not a surprise, and road maps for solving this issue are ready.