Hungary backs Russia, urging Europe to go easy
Flag of Hungary (Photo: Getty Images)
Hungarian Minister of Agriculture István Nagy has sent a letter to European commissioners requesting the suspension of tariffs and additional duties on fertilizer imports from Russia and Belarus, reports Politico.
Reasons for Hungary's appeal
In the letter, Nagy noted that rising global fertilizer prices and uncertainty over supplies, exacerbated by the war in Iran, pose serious risks to EU farmers.
The minister emphasized that without temporarily reducing duties to zero, Hungary could face a drop in crop yields and an increase in food prices.
Dependence on imports
Politico notes that Hungary produces only nitrogen fertilizers and is completely dependent on imports of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
Restrictions on supplies from Russia and Belarus complicate the planning of agricultural work and increase producers' costs.
Historical context
The European Union increased duties on fertilizers from Russia and Belarus in 2025 following a rise in imports that occurred after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The tariff increase raised concerns that Russia is redirecting limited gas supplies to fertilizer production to sustain export revenues.
Current market situation
In 2025, Russian supplies to the EU amounted to approximately 2 billion euros, but since the beginning of 2026, volumes have sharply decreased due to the new duties taking effect. Hungary is calling for the temporary suspension of restrictions to avoid a fertilizer shortage and support the stability of the agricultural sector.
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