EU reinstates import limits on Ukrainian goods

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Jun 2025 21:44

The European Union has reinstated import quotas on Ukrainian goods as of June 6, ending two years of full trade liberalization.

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Tractors used for harvesting are seen parked on a cornfield near the frontline in Sumy region, Ukraine, on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP)

The European Union has officially reinstated import quotas on Ukrainian goods as of June 6, ending a two-year period of full trade liberalization that was initially introduced to support Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.

This policy shift, detailed in the EU's official journal, comes with the expiration of Regulation (EU) 2024/1392 and signals a return to the trade framework outlined in the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

"In light of the expiry on 5 June 2025 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1392... this Regulation should enter into force on 6 June 2025," the official document read.

Under the renewed quota system, Ukrainian exports, particularly agricultural products such as poultry, sugar, eggs, and corn, will enjoy duty-free or preferential access only within strict volume limits. Once those thresholds are reached, standard tariffs will be reimposed.

The European Commission had previously announced the planned shift. On May 22, spokesperson Balazs Ujvari confirmed that the special trade terms would not be extended, reiterating earlier statements by his colleague Olof Gil, who noted that the bloc was "exploring other opportunities to support Kiev."

Economic blow to Ukraine

The reimposition of trade limits is projected to significantly impact Ukraine's war-strained economy. According to Sergiy Nikolaychuk, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, the country could lose an estimated $800 million in export revenue for the remainder of 2025.

In anticipation of the hit, Ukraine is reportedly seeking to reduce its dependence on raw material exports by investing in domestic food processing industries to add value and boost economic resilience.

Backlash from EU border states

While the 2022 liberalization measures were introduced to bolster Ukraine's economic stability following the start of the war, they soon sparked discontent among farmers in neighboring EU countries. Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria voiced strong objections to the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products, citing depressed domestic prices and market disruptions.

That pressure led the European Commission to temporarily restrict imports of certain Ukrainian goods in 2023. Although the restrictions expired in September that year, the Commission urged Kiev to adopt voluntary export controls. Some countries, most notably Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, chose to enforce unilateral bans in defiance of Brussels.

EU market protection meets geopolitical solidarity

The end of the duty-free regime marks a recalibration of the EU-Ukraine trade relationship. While the bloc remains politically supportive of Kiev, the move underscores the EU's attempt to balance solidarity with Ukraine against the need to protect its internal agricultural markets.

Meanwhile, the EU has set quota volumes for the remainder of 2025 at seven-twelfths of the annual allowance to reflect the mid-year implementation, and discussions on a long-term trade strategy with Ukraine remain ongoing.