{"id":16067,"date":"2024-02-29T19:30:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T09:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=50438"},"modified":"2024-02-29T19:30:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T09:30:03","slug":"latvia-bans-agricultural-imports-from-russia-and-belarus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=16067","title":{"rendered":"Latvia bans agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Latvia has banned agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus. The Baltic country is the first EU country to go as far as to introduce a total ban on Russian agricultural products. The ban will last until 2025 at the very least.\u00a0<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Russia\u2019s neighbouring Baltic country was one of the biggest importers of Russian grain in the EU, second only to Spain. Twelve per cent of all EU grain imports from Russia entered through Latvia. According to Euractiv, Latvia has a large grain storage capacity, which in combination with its ports allowed it to become a hub for Russian grain. Since the start of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, Latvian grain imports from Russia had grown by 3,2 times.<\/p>\n

The continuing inflow of Russian grain led to dissatisfaction among Latvian farmers, who in recent weeks staged protests calling for a total ban. Earlier this year, transport minister Kaspars Bri\u0161kens likewise called for an import ban<\/a>. The minister cited concerns that Russian grain could be stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories as the main underlying reason for such a ban.<\/p>\n

The Latvian ministry of transport also commented on the possible incurred losses for the Latvian transport sector, which could amount to 40 million euros for rail annually and 60 million for ports. According to the ministry of transport, the sector has long been overdependent on Russian freight.<\/p>\n

Baltic rail sector struggles<\/h2>\n

As a consequence of sanctions imposed on Russia, Baltic rail operators have struggled with the loss of freight volumes. The incurred financial losses have led them to pursue alternative sources of income. For example, Estonian Operail is privatising entirely<\/a> and aims to expand internationally. Similarly, Latvian LDZ Cargo<\/a> and Lithuanian LTG Cargo<\/a> have also announced their intention to pursue international expansion to find new sources of revenue.<\/p>\n

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