World · Europe · 7 hrs ago
Lithuania to check Russian and Belarusian grain shipments at Klaipeda
Lithuania will check the origin of grain from Russia and Belarus arriving through Klaipeda port.
The checks begin on Nov.
16 and cover wheat, barley, sunflower seeds and maize.
Shipments will be held until testing is complete, which could take two months or more because Lithuania must send samples abroad.
The checks address concerns that some exported grain may come from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.
The European Union bans imports of Russian and Belarusian grain, but transit through EU countries has not been banned.
Grain with a misrepresented origin can be returned or destroyed, with exporters covering the costs.
Baltic leaders have urged the EU to ban Russian grain transit, while Lithuania’s checks are set to begin next week.
Lithuania will tighten checks on Russian and Belarusian grain shipments passing through Klaipeda port from Nov. 16.
Shipments will be held until their grain origin is verified, and inspections could take two months or more.
The checks cover wheat, barley, sunflower seeds and maize.
Lithuania lacks a laboratory for the required tests, so samples must be sent abroad.
The measures aim to prevent grain from occupied parts of Ukraine from entering international markets.
- Who
- Lithuanian authorities will inspect the shipments.
- What
- Lithuania will check the origin of Russian and Belarusian grain and hold shipments until tests are complete.
- When
- The new checks apply from Nov. 16. The year is 2026.
- Where
- Klaipeda port, Lithuania.
- Why
- To prevent grain of illegal origin, including grain from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, from entering international markets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lithuania has been testing grain shipments from Russia and Belarus over concerns about their origin.
Lithuania's prime minister called for EU sanctions on Russian grain and a ban on its transit.
Lithuania's new checks on Russian and Belarusian grain exports through Klaipeda are due to apply.
- Port
- Klaipeda
- Start date
- Nov. 16, 2026
- Products
- Wheat, barley, sunflower seeds and maize
- Inspection duration
- Two months or more
- Testing capacity
- Lithuania lacks a laboratory for the required tests
3 sources
What people are saying
We will continue inspecting, verifying, and stopping shipments for as long as necessary to prevent grain of illegal origin from entering the international market