Russia stops grain exports to the European Union after introducing duties

Russia will stop exporting grain to the European Union due to the decision to increase tariffs on imports of Russian grain and will look for other markets.

This was reported on Monday by the Russian news agency TASS with reference to a statement by the Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, and also reported by Reuters. However, Russia says it is ready to supply grain to Europe if it needs Russian food, Lut added.

Last week EU agreed to raise tariffs on grain imports from Russia to reduce Kremlin revenues and prevent destabilization of the region's agricultural sector.

The tariffs, which will also apply to grain imports from Belarus, will come into force on July 1. EU ministers also decided to prevent the illegal export of Russian grain stolen from Ukraine to EU markets, Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Twitter.

“The rules increase customs duties on grain, sunflower seeds and products originating in Russia and Belarus to such an extent that imports of these products will effectively cease,” – says the EU press release.

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