In 2023, Russian grain imports to the EU via Latvia increased by about 80,000 tons, totaling over 380,000 metric tons.
From: Euromaiden Press BY IRYNA VOICHUK
Farmers across 16 cities in Latvia have taken to the streets, deploying columns of agricultural machinery in a protest, demanding a ban on the import of food products from Russia and Belarus, ERR reported on 5 February.
According to a statement made in December by a Latvian government official, imports of Russian grain into European Union countries by way of Latvia reached over 380,000 metric tons in 2023 – a rise of approximately 80,000 tons over 2022 import totals moving through the Baltic state.
The demonstrators are calling for immediate and stringent actions against importing Russian and Belarusian food products, advocating for a ban without a transitional period. Additionally, they demand the restoration of a reduced 5% value-added tax (VAT) rate on Latvian fruits and vegetables, highlighting the critical need for financial relief within the agricultural sector.
Voice of Ukraine 