ECONOMY | ORIENT. In early 2026, a development in global trade occurred that, at first glance, appears purely technical: the European Union announced plans to suspend import tariffs on ammonia and urea (carbamide). However, behind this bureaucratic decision lies a major price war and a redrawing of the global export map.

Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič stated that the EU will "promptly" implement a suspension of the remaining most-favored-nation tariffs, which could also affect other fertilizers.

The Crux of the Matter: Saving Farmers

Nitrogen fertilizers—ammonia and urea—are the "fuel" of agriculture. In recent years, their prices in Europe have soared due to the cost of gas. To prevent European farmers from going bankrupt and stop the price of bread and vegetables in stores from rising, Brussels decided to remove tariff barriers (previously, duties ranged from 5.5% to 6.5%). This will allow importers to purchase fertilizers more cheaply from around the world.

Carbon Tax and the "Balance of Interests"

Since 2026, the CBAM (carbon import tax) mechanism has been fully operational in the EU. Now, goods produced with large CO2 emissions must pay an additional levy. To prevent this tax from "strangling" the agricultural sector, the EU has compromised: it has introduced an environmental tax but simultaneously eliminated existing import duties. This is an attempt to make the transition to a "green" economy less painful for citizens' wallets.

A Window of Opportunity for Central Asia

For Turkmenistan, which has significantly expanded its urea production capacity in recent years (remember the giant «Garabogazkarbamid» plant), this news is positive.

Competitiveness: Turkmen fertilizers are becoming more attractive on the European market due to the absence of import duties.

Diversification: The EU is actively seeking replacements for its existing suppliers, and Caspian countries, with their vast gas reserves and new plants, are becoming priority partners.

The suspension of duties is not just a concession, but a signal that the world urgently needs affordable fertilizers. For producers in Turkmenistan, this is an excellent opportunity to gain a foothold in the high-margin European market by offering high-quality urea without unnecessary customs markups.