Parliamentary question - P-000434/2025(ASW)Parliamentary question
P-000434/2025(ASW)
European Parliament

Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission

28.3.2025

Written question

The Commission proposed on 28 January 2025 a regulation to the Council and the European Parliament with the aim to increase gradually customs duties on nitrogen-based fertilisers imported from Russia and Belarus[1].

This proposal responds to a surge in imports, which could disrupt the EU market and harm the EU producers. In addition, this measure is vital to ensuring the EU food security and addressing growing utilization of Russian gas in its fertilisers’ production. At the same time, the proposal is carefully calibrated to minimise the risk of price increases for EU farmers.

The Commission proposal does not include codes of the Combined Nomenclature 3103 (phosphorus fertilisers) or 3104 (potash). These are mineral fertilisers that are not produced from natural gas.

All imports of phosphorus fertilisers from Russia are covered by the measures proposed, since they consist of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), not of phosphates.

Furthermore, unlike for nitrogen fertilisers, whose sources of supplies are more diverse and sufficient, the pool of alternative suppliers on phosphorus and potash is more limited.

Also, imports of potash from Russia and Belarus are subject to quantitative restrictions under Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014[2], as subsequently amended[3], and the import ban under the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the Council Regulation (EU) 2022/355[4].

The Commission continues monitoring the market of fertilisers inter alia through the Fertiliser Market Observatory and will do its utmost to facilitate the ordinary legislative process.

Last updated: 28 March 2025
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