European Commission to extend duty-free exports of Ukrainian products until summer 2025
Brussels, Belgium (Svidomi) — The European Commission wants to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, strengthening the protection of sensitive EU agricultural products, the European Commission's press service reports.
Liberalising imports of Ukrainian products is part of the EU's commitment to support Ukraine.
"These Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) have been in place since June 2022 and are a key pillar of the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine and its economy. The measures help alleviate the difficult situation faced by Ukrainian producers and exporters as a consequence of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression," the press service said.
At the same time, the updated agreements have enhanced mechanisms to protect sensitive EU farmers and other stakeholders.
"For the most sensitive products – poultry, eggs and sugar – an emergency brake is foreseen which would stabilise imports at the average import volumes in 2022 and 2023," the European Commission says.
If imports of these products exceed these volumes, tariffs will be reimposed to curb imports of Ukrainian products.
Simultaneously, the Commission proposes to extend for another year the suspension of all duties on Moldovan imports, which have been in place since July 2022.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have yet to consider these proposals.
Following the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU cancelled tariffs on Ukrainian imports. In particular, it was done because of Russia's blockade of sea routes for grain exports from Ukraine.
Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Bulgaria reacted sharply to this decision. The governments of these countries introduced unilateral bans.
In May 2023, the EU allowed only the transit of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower through five eastern countries without the right to stay on their markets.
On January 17, 2024, the European Commission refused to return the duty on Ukrainian grain despite Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary's demand.
It will be recalled that Svidomi has already talked about the reasons for introducing grain embargoes by Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.
