Hungary urges EU to remove fertilizer tariffs.

Hungary is urging the European Union to temporarily lift tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers, citing concerns about rising global prices and potential disruptions to EU agriculture caused by the conflict in Iran. This move highlights a critical vulnerability within the EU’s agricultural sector, particularly its dependence on Iranian-produced fertilizers. The EU’s existing tariffs, implemented in 2025, are intended to limit Russian export revenue, but are now being challenged as a significant risk to European food security.

The situation is further complicated by the ongoing war in Iran, which has significantly impacted fertilizer supply chains. Iranian fertilizers represent a substantial portion of the EU’s phosphorus and potash imports, and disruptions to production or trade routes are creating immediate shortages and driving up prices. EU officials are exploring emergency measures, including utilizing funds from the Emissions Trading System and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, but these are seen as insufficient to address the scale of the problem. Experts argue that the EU’s reliance on a single source for critical agricultural inputs is a strategic weakness, and the current crisis is accelerating the need for a long-term plan to diversify supply and bolster domestic fertilizer production capabilities. The Hungarian government’s push for tariff suspension reflects a growing recognition of this vulnerability across the bloc.

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