European farmers have voiced concern over the EU’s proposed plan to phase out Russian fertiliser imports, warning that the move could sharply increase prices.
Dominique Dejonckheere of the farmers' organization Copa-Cogeca said Russian fertilisers remain "the most competitive in terms of price," due to established logistics, adding that farmers feel "forgotten" by policymakers, according to AFP.
The European Commission aims to halt imports from Russia and Belarus—totaling 3.6 million tonnes valued at $1.41 billion (1.28 billion euros) in 2023—to limit revenue flowing to Moscow's war effort and reduce the EU’s dependency on hostile suppliers.
Duties on these imports would rise gradually starting this summer, becoming "prohibitive" within three years.
However, Brussels has proposed offsetting potential price hikes by removing import duties on fertilisers from North Africa, Central Asia, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria. Fertilizers Europe, an industry group supporting the plan, praised the move, arguing that cheap fertilisers from Russia and Belarus have been "seriously distorting the market and undermining fair competition."
Farmers fear that without adequate measures, the policy could force many into financial difficulties.
Amaury Poncelet, a cereal and sugar beet farmer from Belgium, highlighted that rising costs are "a major concern," adding that "Some colleagues are already in the red. We understand that we need to help Ukraine and annoy the Russians, but it is us who will bear the brunt."
Abbey Fenbert
(Updated: )
