EU Sees 14% Surge in Russian Fertilizer Imports Amid Sanctions

BRUSSELS (Azat TV) – The European Union has experienced a significant increase in fertilizer imports from Russia, rising 14% above pre-war levels in 2025, according to recent analyses. This trend persists despite a broad array of sanctions imposed on Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The continued flow of these essential agricultural inputs underscores persistent gaps in the EU’s trade restrictions with Russia.

Fertilizer Trade Defies Sanctions Landscape

In 2025, EU fertilizer imports from Russia reached €1.7 billion ($2 billion), marking a 14% rise compared to the period before the full-scale invasion. This surge indicates that while many categories of trade have been sharply reduced, certain sectors, like fertilizers and fish/seafood (which saw a 25.5% increase to €739 million), have either maintained or grown their import volumes. S&P Global Commodity Insights fertilizer analyst Allan Pickett noted that trade volumes are likely to hold as long as further sanctions are not applied, adding that Russia has not lost its global fertilizer market share since 2022.

Global Factors Influence Agricultural Input Costs

The global agricultural market is currently navigating a complex landscape influenced by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Escalating conflicts in the Middle East have driven market volatility, leading to comprehensive increases in energy, freight, and fertilizer prices. These rising input costs directly impact agricultural production, with fertilizer alone accounting for approximately 20% of grain costs. This situation is prompting some European farmers to consider planting crops that require less fertilizer during the spring season. The Middle East is a critical transit point, with over 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a route now facing disruption risks that threaten phosphate and urea exports.

EU’s Shifting Trade Balance and Ongoing Dependencies

Since the onset of the war, the EU’s trade balance with Russia has seen significant shifts. While initial stockpiling of Russian energy in 2022 led to record import levels, by the end of 2025, EU imports from Russia had fallen by 90% from their 2022 peak. This reduction is a result of phased bans on Russian oil, coal, steel, gold, and timber, with a phased ban on gas set to take effect through 2027. However, complete cessation of trade has not been achieved. Energy still constitutes 63% of the EU’s remaining Russian imports, and the bloc remains a major buyer of Russian liquefied natural gas. Furthermore, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, remains unsanctioned in the EU and supplies a significant portion of Europe’s uranium needs.

Implications for European Agriculture

The continued reliance on Russian fertilizers, coupled with rising global input costs, presents a challenge for the European agricultural sector. The EU crop monitoring agency forecasts a decrease in the average yield for soft wheat in 2026 compared to 2025, and the European Commission has revised down its production estimates for the 2026/27 season. While the proportion of good-quality soft wheat in France remains stable, the overall trend points to increased pressures on food production and input costs within the bloc. The persistence of these imports highlights the complex interplay between geopolitical sanctions, economic dependencies, and the vital needs of global food security.

The sustained import of Russian fertilizers into the EU, even amidst comprehensive sanctions, points to the critical role these commodities play in European agriculture and the intricate challenges in decoupling essential supply chains from sanctioned economies.