Latvia Slams 300 Percent Tariff on Russian Grain Transit Amid Ukraine Conflict
Latvia plans to introduce a 300 percent tariff on grain transportation from Russia and Belarus in an effort to limit transit through Latvian territory. The move, announced by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, aims to protect Latvian farmers and prevent the circulation of products that may have been exported from occupied Ukrainian territories.
The introduction of the high tariffs is part of a joint approach with Estonia and Lithuania to ensure Russian grain does not pass through Baltic infrastructure. According to Kulbergs, Russia is trying to increase grain exports while limiting Ukraine's ability to use the Black Sea for supplying products to foreign markets.
The Latvian government also plans to check transit cargo and cooperate with Ukraine and specialized laboratories to determine the origin of the grain. This will help detect products stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories.