Belarus introduces six-month licensing regime for apple imports
Belarus will require one-time licences for apple imports from outside the Eurasian Economic Union for six months. The measure could curb shipments from Poland, whose apple sales to Belarus were valued at $51.8 million in 2025.
One-time licences replace unrestricted access
Belarus has introduced a six-month licensing system for apple imports from countries outside the Eurasian Economic Union, creating a new administrative barrier for suppliers including Poland. According to AgroNews, the measure was established by Belarusian Council of Ministers Resolution No. 487, dated September 24, 2026.
Importers will need one-time licences issued by the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, with approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The rules do not amount to a complete import ban, but they give the authorities direct control over which shipments enter the country and in what quantities.
The government has justified the measure by pointing to a strong domestic harvest. Officials say Belarusian production should cover a larger share of demand, including during the period between harvests, and that locally grown apples should receive priority on the domestic market.
Polish exporters face the greatest exposure
Poland is particularly exposed because it has long been one of the main suppliers of apples to Belarus. AgroNews cited data reported by Belarusian and industry media showing that Belarus imported Polish apples worth $51.8 million in 2025, up from $37.8 million a year earlier. Some Belarusian sources estimated Poland's share of the country's apple imports at about 90%.
The increase in trade value had confirmed Belarus's renewed importance as an outlet for Polish fruit. The licensing requirement now introduces uncertainty during the trading season, when orchard growers are seeking buyers for the current crop. If fewer permits are issued, exporters may face lower shipment volumes, additional administrative work and less predictable delivery schedules.
The final effect will depend on how strictly the authorities administer the system. If domestic supply proves sufficient, licences could be limited. If shortages emerge, the mechanism still allows Belarus to admit foreign fruit without formally reversing the policy.
More fruit may compete for alternative buyers
The government chose licensing after Piotr Parkhomchyk, chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, called on September 22 for an immediate suspension of apple imports. The adopted measure is less restrictive than a total ban, while still allowing Minsk to adjust inflows according to conditions in the domestic market.
For Poland, weaker access to Belarus could leave more apples competing for buyers elsewhere. Poland is one of Europe's largest apple producers, and exports play an important role in absorbing its production surplus. AgroNews said reduced Belarusian demand could intensify competition among exporters and intermediaries and affect prices, particularly for dessert apples intended for foreign markets.
The six-month measure also fits Belarus's broader drive for greater food self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has previously indicated that it wants to reduce purchases of selected foods from countries Minsk describes as “unfriendly.” The immediate indicators for market participants will be the number of licences granted, the volumes approved and whether Belarusian stocks can satisfy demand until the next harvest.
