EU considers reimposing duties on three more agricultural products from Ukraine
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The European Union may reintroduce tariffs on Ukrainian honey, corn, and poultry as Ukraine nears the set limits for exporting these products, according to EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski at a press conference following the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting.
The commissioner said that member states generally expressed positive views on the new autonomous trade measures and the protective measures implemented.
Wojciechowski emphasized that this initiative came from the Agriculture Commissioner to introduce import limits, and they are in effect. Restrictions have been imposed on three products: sugar, eggs, and oats.
He added that the EU is monitoring the situation regarding other sensitive products.
The closest to reaching the limits is honey, with exports already at 89% of the established thresholds, corn at 67%, and poultry at 59%, according to the commissioner.
Restrictions in event of increased imports
The current duty-free trade regulation for Ukraine includes an emergency brake mechanism for certain goods. This mechanism is automatically activated if the import volume reaches the average annual level recorded from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.
In April, the European Parliament approved the extension of duty-free trade for Ukrainian agricultural products for one year, introducing new restrictions on import volumes. This will be the final revision of the terms. The EU and Ukraine plan to conclude a long-term agreement in June 2025.
Previously, the EU imposed tariffs on sugar and eggs from Ukraine due to a surge in imports.
