Business · Trade · 1 hr ago
Latvia says it cannot ban Russian grain transit or sharply raise fees
Latvia’s Prime Minister, Andris Kulbergs, says the country cannot ban Russian grain transit or sharply raise rail fees on its own.
From January through September 2026, 593,660 tonnes of Russian grain passed through Latvia, and contracts cover another 300,000 tonnes.
Kulbergs says the European Union controls transit and tariff rules, limiting what Latvia can do nationally.
He also says the grain is bought by companies in the United States, Switzerland and Japan, rather than belonging to Russia once it reaches Latvia.
A Latvian ban could bring lawsuits seeking 200 million to 800 million euros, according to Kulbergs.
Estonia has already banned transit of Russian and Belarusian grain, but it had no active transit contracts when it did so.
Kulbergs plans to discuss possible restrictions in Brussels with the EU.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said Latvia cannot currently ban Russian grain transit or raise railway infrastructure fees by 300 percent.
He said the European Union has exclusive authority over transit and tariff matters.
Kulbergs warned that a ban could lead to lawsuits against Latvia seeking between 200 million and 800 million euros.
He said the grain is bought by strategic partners, including the United States, Switzerland and Japan, before it enters Latvia.
Latvia recorded 593,660 tonnes of Russian grain in transit from the start of 2026 through September, with contracts for another 300,000 tonnes.
- Who
- Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
- What
- He said Latvia cannot currently ban Russian grain transit or sharply raise fees for it.
- When
- He made the statement on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Latvia; he plans to discuss the issue in Brussels.
- Why
- The European Union has exclusive authority over transit and tariffs, and a ban could trigger lawsuits.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Latvia recorded 593,660 tonnes of Russian grain in transit.
Kulbergs said Latvia could not currently ban the transit or raise railway fees by 300 percent.
Kulbergs planned to discuss transit restrictions at the European Union level.
- Transit volume
- 593,660 tonnes from the start of 2026 through September
- Additional contracts
- 300,000 tonnes
- Proposed fee increase
- 300 percent
- Potential lawsuits
- 200 million to 800 million euros
- Buyers named
- United States, Switzerland and Japan
3 sources
What people are saying
At the moment, Latvia cannot increase by 300 percent the fee for using railway infrastructure to transit Russian grain or completely ban it
We can do this under certain conditions, but this means specific risks
They are the ones who buy this grain, acting as the largest global corporations