Edition: International | Greek
MENU

Home » Europe

The EU triggers emergency brake on oats imports from Ukraine

The cereal is the first agricultural product that will no longer be exempted from duties as of Wednesday

By: EBR - Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

“For oats, this average is 2.440,56 tonnes,” the European Commission said in a press release on Tuesday (18 June). Imports since the beginning of 2024 “are above this volume,” the bloc’s executive added, announcing the reintroduction of the tariff quota from the 2016 free trade agreement with Ukraine.
“For oats, this average is 2.440,56 tonnes,” the European Commission said in a press release on Tuesday (18 June). Imports since the beginning of 2024 “are above this volume,” the bloc’s executive added, announcing the reintroduction of the tariff quota from the 2016 free trade agreement with Ukraine.

by Angelo Di Mambro

The cereal is the first agricultural product that will no longer be exempted from duties as of Wednesday (19 June), because it exceeds the cap fixed in the latest regulation on temporary trade benefits for Ukraine.

Oats is one of the sensitive products covered by the autonomous trade measures for Ukraine, aimed to help Kyiv’s economy, entered into force on 6 June.

After months of protests by farmers, especially in the countries bordering Ukraine, EU lawmakers began gruelling negotiations on the regulation.

The final agreement reflected the tensions in the European Parliament and the EU Council and included a clause for the automatic reintroduction of duties and tariffs if the imports of “sensitive products” – poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, maize, cereals, and honey – rise above the average of a reference period from the second half of 2021 to 2023.

“For oats, this average is 2.440,56 tonnes,” the European Commission said in a press release on Tuesday (18 June). Imports since the beginning of 2024 “are above this volume,” the bloc’s executive added, announcing the reintroduction of the tariff quota from the 2016 free trade agreement with Ukraine.

At the end of May, Ukrainian producers warned that also sugar was close to the limits, and called on Kyiv to close the border for the exports of sugar to the EU till the end of 2024.

According to the European Commission, Ukraine also exports oats to the EU but also to many third countries, mainly in Asia and North Africa.

From January to May 2024, Ukraine’s grain exports via Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta, fell by 44% on the year to 3.5 million metric tons, the port authority told Reuters on Tuesday, with Kyiv increasingly relying on its own ports.

*first published in: Euractiv.com

READ ALSO

EU Actually

Danish social democratic prime minister Mette Frederiksen sometimes tougher on migration than Giorgia Meloni

N. Peter KramerBy: N. Peter Kramer

With her country holding the rotating EU presidency the second half of 2025, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen is advocating a stronger EU with more defence and less migration

View 04/2021 2021 Digital edition

Magazine

Current Issue

04/2021 2021

View past issues
Subscribe
Advertise
Digital edition

Europe

Greek MEPs demand tariff-free trade in medicines as new deadline looms

Greek MEPs demand tariff-free trade in medicines as new deadline looms

Greek MEPs Papandreou and Tsiodras warn that US pharma tariffs threaten health and supply chains, urging the Commission to react accordingly.

Business

To save the Single Market, bring back Delors’ 1992 playbook

To save the Single Market, bring back Delors’ 1992 playbook

Most people familiar with EU affairs know the single market is a myth. Hailed as the bedrock of the European Union, it was never completed and is now crumbling.

MARKET INDICES

Powered by Investing.com
All contents © Copyright EMG Strategic Consulting Ltd. 1997-2025. All Rights Reserved   |   Home Page  |   Disclaimer  |   Website by Theratron