Fertilizer prices in Europe remain around 60% higher than in 2020, prompting the European Commission to propose a temporary suspension of tariffs on key nitrogen-based fertilizers, including ammonium and urea. The proposal was discussed during an informal meeting of agriculture ministers from all 27 EU member states, as part of broader efforts to ease cost pressures on farmers and protect agricultural competitiveness and food security.
EU officials stressed that high fertilizer costs continue to erode farmers’ incomes and threaten production capacity. The proposed suspension targets Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs applied to imports from non-EU countries, with safeguards planned to ensure that cost reductions benefit farmers directly. Alongside the tariff proposal, ministers discussed reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), supply diversification, strengthening domestic fertilizer production, and reducing dependency on external suppliers amid growing global market volatility.