Latvia has become the EU’s leading importer of corn from Russia, despite its staunch support for Ukraine.
Imports of grain from Russia to Latvia have risen in general over the past year, with four Latvian companies importing corn, five importing peas and six importing rapeseed. The State Security Service (VDD) confirmed that increases in grain and pea imports from Russia had attracted attention, but refrained from further comments.
The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) revealed that four Latvian companies imported corn from Russia this year, while five imported peas and six rapeseed. The largest Russian grain importers are Latvia, Italy, Greece, Lithuania, and Estonia. In the first eight months of this year, EU member states imported 31% more wheat and corn from Russia than in the same period last year, an increase of 739,000 tonnes.
In the first seven months of this year, 82% of the corn imported to Latvia came from Russia, and this year the import of corn from Russia has increased by 63% compared to 2022. It is predicted that the largest volumes of grain will still arrive at the end of the year, which is traditionally the most active time for the grain trade.
Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze (Green and Farmers’ Union) believes that the situation is unacceptable, as there is no hunger in Europe and Latvia cannot slow down the transit of food products to African countries or other places where food products are really needed. The Minister of Agriculture promises to prepare information on which Latvian companies have begun to import grain from Russia more intensively, taking advantage of the cheaper price there.
