Ministry of Agriculture Considers Replacing Quotas with 27.5% Duty on Beef Imports in 2025

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture is considering replacing beef import quotas with a 27.5% duty starting in 2025, the ministry’s press service told Agroexpert.

“New tariff and customs regulations for beef imports are being developed for 2025. One option under consideration is a flat fee of 27.5%. This systemic measure is designed to protect the domestic market and boost the attractiveness of the beef cattle industry in the long term,” the press service said.

According to a decision by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Council, in 2024, Russia has been granted an exemption from import customs duties for up to 100,000 tons of certain types of beef intended for meat product production. Besides that, an annual quota of 570,000 tons of beef imports will be subject to a 15% tariff, while imports beyond this quota are facing a 50% rate.

The proposal to transition to flat duty, currently under consideration, has received support from the subcommittee on customs and tariff regulation, clarified the press service, noting that the issue is expected to be discussed by the EEC.

In the first half of 2024, slaughter cattle production on Russian farms of various categories exceeded 1.1 million tons, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. “The Ministry of Agriculture anticipates continued production growth by year-end,” stated the press service.