Russian grain flows through Latvia rise sharply after 2025 decline

Transit shipments of Russian grain through Latvia rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026, increasing 2.7-fold compared with the same period last year, according to official data cited by Delfi.

Figures from Latvia’s State Revenue Service show that between January and March 2026, a total of 139,400 tons of Russian grain products passed through Latvian territory. This marks a significant jump from the 52,655 tons recorded during the first quarter of 2025.

Wheat and wheat mixtures accounted for the overwhelming majority of the transit volume, totalling approximately 133,700 tons. Smaller quantities included rapeseed, buckwheat, barley, and other agricultural crops.

Despite the surge in transit flows, Latvia did not import any grain from Russia during the period. The absence of imports reflects ongoing government restrictions on the entry of certain agricultural products originating from Russia.

The latest data contrasts with broader annual trends. Over the full year 2025, total grain transit through Latvia reached 673,500 tons—nearly three times lower than the volume recorded in 2024, indicating a substantial year-on-year decline before the recent rebound in early 2026.

By Tamilla Hasanova