BRUSSELS, March 22. /TASS/. The introduction of tariffs on grain from Russia will lead to its higher imports from Ukraine and other countries, the European Commission (EC) said.

"The proposed measures would result in reduced EU imports of grain from Russia and Belarus of close to 5 million tonnes per year. This shortfall in supply will be filled partially by EU's domestic production and, therefore, benefit EU farmers who will be able to sell in the EU," the EC said.

"In addition, the shortfall is expected to be partially filled by imports from third countries which traditionally supply the EU market such as the US, Brazil, Ukraine, Serbia, or Argentina," the Commission noted.

The EU countries purchased up to five million metric tons of Russian grain in 2023, which accounts for 1% of the total grain market in the EU, a European source said earlier today.