Belarus lifts vegetable embargo amid EU tariff tensions
Belarus has lifted the embargo on importing onions and potatoes from Western countries to alleviate vegetable shortages in shops. This decision comes in response to the European Union's raised tariffs.
What do you need to know?
- Belarus has removed the ban on importing onions, potatoes, apples, and white cabbage from Western countries considered "unfriendly".
- The government in Minsk explains that the lifting of the embargo is a reaction to the European Union's increased tariffs on Belarusian agricultural products.
- There have been potato shortages in the country, linked to the unprofitability of domestic sales and producers' preference to export to Russia.
In Belarus, changes have been made to the list of products that cannot be imported from Western countries considered "unfriendly". The embargo, established in 2021, has been eased for onions, apples, white cabbage, and potatoes, which are considered symbols of Belarusian agriculture.
The government in Minsk emphasises that this decision is a response to the EU's increase in tariffs on Belarusian agricultural products. Authorities claim they want to demonstrate "openness" and the "principle of good neighbourliness".
What are the effects of the potato shortage?
However, as the independent portal Zerkalo.io reports, in recent months there have been complaints about potato shortages from various regions of Belarus. This issue arises from, among other things, rising production costs and the unprofitability of selling on the domestic market at low regulated prices. In April, the government allowed the prices of potatoes, cabbage, and onions to rise in an effort to improve the situation.
The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, acknowledged on 8 May that there is a noticeable potato shortage in the country. He also accused producers of preferring to sell potatoes to Russia at higher prices.
