The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, István Nagy, has reached out to European Commissioners with a request to temporarily lift tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus, including phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
Nagy’s appeal comes amid rising global fertilizer prices and supply uncertainties linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran. He warned that these factors could jeopardize farmers across the EU and lead to increased food prices.
He further emphasized that Hungary could face significant crop losses without access to affordable imports, highlighting that the country only produces nitrogen fertilizers domestically and relies on foreign sources for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
New tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods and fertilizers took effect on July 1, 2025, as determined by the Council of the European Union.
This trade measure was proposed by the European Commission on January 28, 2025, as part of efforts to weaken the military economy of Russia and the economies of third countries involved in aggression against Ukraine.
Hungary's Agriculture Minister has formally requested the EU to suspend tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers due to rising prices and supply chain uncertainties. This move aims to protect local farmers from potential crop losses and escalating food costs.