Poland’s rising imports of Russian fertilizers threaten local producers, sparking calls for government action.
Poland leads the European Union in importing nitrogen fertilizers from Russia, with volumes reaching 862,000 tons from January to August 2024. These imports represent over 26% of Russia’s total fertilizer exports to the EU. Polish producers and their European counterparts express concerns about the negative impact on the industry due to these low-cost imports.
Dumping Prices Undercut Local Producers
Experts point to price dumping from Russian and Belarusian firms as the primary challenge. This practice undercuts Polish and EU producers, who already struggle with higher production costs, notably due to increased gas prices. The influx threatens the competitive position of local firms and heightens dependency on Eastern imports.
Calls for Policy Intervention
In response, Poland’s fertilizer industry urges the government to raise tariffs on fertilizers from Russia and Belarus to 30% and to implement stricter import controls. These measures, producers argue, could protect Poland’s agricultural sector and prevent market dominance by Eastern suppliers.