Saeima calls for halt to Russian and Belarusian grain transit through Latvia

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on Thursday called on the government to develop legislation that would fully ban the import of Russian and Belarusian grain into Latvia as well as its transit through the country's territory.

The gap in current rules

Latvia has had a ban on importing agricultural and animal feed products of Russian and Belarusian origin in place since 2024. However, that ban does not cover transit — cargo passing through Latvia on its way to another country has not been affected by the existing restriction. It is precisely this gap that the Saeima is now asking the government to close.

What the government is expected to do

The Saeima has tasked the government not only with drafting the necessary legal changes but also with ensuring the new ban is actually enforced. This would mean introducing cargo control mechanisms and establishing liability for anyone attempting to circumvent the restrictions. The stated goal is to prevent Latvia's transport infrastructure from continuing to be used for moving Russian and Belarusian grain to other markets.

Wider context

Alongside the transit issue, the Saeima has also been advancing amendments this month that would broaden the existing national import ban to include food products, not just agricultural and feed goods. Together, the initiatives form part of a broader effort to reduce Latvia's role in facilitating trade flows linked to Russia and Belarus.