The Russian government has extended the increased import duty on flowers from 'unfriendly; countries until the end of 2025. The corresponding decree was signed on December 11, 2024, and published on the official legal information portal.
The duty on cut flowers and buds is set at 20%, but no less than 1.3 euros per kilogram. This rate was raised in July this year. Previously, the duty was 5%, but no less than 0.3 euros per kilogram.
Speaking at the Federation Council in October, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut did not rule out the possibility of further increasing the duty, including on flowers from 'friendly' countries, if their producers are registered in 'unfriendly' countries. "We will continue to explore the possibility of introducing similar duties if, for example, in friendly countries, a flower-producing company is registered in an unfriendly country," she said. "We have started this analysis. It involves more complex information. Nevertheless, we will complete it and proceed step by step to ensure market opportunities for our domestic flower growers."
According to Lut, domestic flowers currently account for about 25% of the Russian market – approximately 390 million units. This year, the Ministry of Agriculture expects an increase in domestic production, supported by preferential investment loans for constructing flower greenhouses.
Source: www.interfax.ru