On Thursday, changes came into effect in Belarus regarding the list of products that cannot be imported from countries deemed „unfriendly,” meaning Western nations. Onions—and even potatoes, which are a symbol of Belarusian agriculture and cuisine—were excluded from the embargo. Vegetable shortages are visible in stores.
The government issued the decree on Tuesday evening. From the list of embargoed products established in 2021, the following items were removed: onions, apples, potatoes, and white cabbage. The “unfriendly countries” referred to in the decree include, among others, European Union member states.
Belarusian authorities presented the lifting of the ban as a response to the EU’s increase in tariffs on Belarusian agricultural products. The government in Minsk stated that in doing so, Belarus is demonstrating „openness” and the „principle of good neighborliness.”
One of the reasons is the rising cost of production and the unprofitability of selling on the domestic market at low regulated prices. In April, the government allowed price increases for potatoes, cabbage, and onions.
On May 8, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko acknowledged that there is a noticeable potato shortage in the country. He also accused producers of preferring to sell potatoes to Russia at higher prices.
