Russia Raises Import Duties on Milk and Butter

The Russian government announced that will increase the import duty on butter (derived from milk) to not less than 0.35 Euro/kg, up from 0.22 Euro/kg; and Resolution that increases the import duty on milk (and cream) from 15 percent ad valorem to 20 perce

 Minister of Agriculture Aleksey
Gordeyev stated recently that production costs for domestic milk is
higher than farmgate prices. In addition, several prominent Russian
government officials have commented in recent weeks that these new
measures are aimed at protecting domestic dairy farmers from “unfair
competition” claiming that major exporting countries greatly
subsidize their dairy sectors and, thus, give them an unfair
advantage. The new duties take effect March 7, 2009 and will be in
place for a period of 9 months.