Posted on October, 27, 2023 at 06:20 am
This is especially true with regard to the import of corn, and in this field Latvia has become the leading importer from Russia in the entire European Union (EU).
Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze (Green and Farmers' Union) considers this an unacceptable situation.
The European Union has imposed extensive sanctions against Russia, but they do not apply to the export of agricultural products. Meanwhile, exports of Ukrainian agricultural products are significantly hampered by Russia's blockade of Ukrainian grain exports from Black Sea ports. Statistics show that the aggressor country uses this situation to its advantage, for example, currently Russian wheat accounts for 24% of world wheat exports, compared to 16% market share before the invasion of Ukraine.
At the beginning of October, the State Security Service (VDD) confirmed to the LTV program De Facto that increases in grain and pea imports from Russia had attracted its attention, but refrained from further comments.
The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) revealed to the program that four Latvian companies imported corn from Russia this year, while five imported peas and six rapeseed. However, the names of specific companies are not disclosed.
De Facto announced that, when looking at the data of the largest fodder wholesalers, it can be seen that the trends in foreign trade statistics especially coincide with the increase in turnover for one trader - SIA "Avrora Baltic". Before the war, its turnover was 53 million euros, last year it was already nearly 180 million. Until the beginning of the war, it was still a subsidiary of the Russian company "Sentjabr" in Latvia. "Sentjabr" is registered in the Lipetsk region, approximately 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
In the first 8 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.
Currently, the biggest Russian grain importers are Latvia, Italy and Greece, (followed by Lithuania and Estonia).
If before the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, only about 11% of Latvia's grain imports came from Russia and was about 100,000 tonnes, then this year already in the first eight months the relevant amount has reached 266 thousand tons and 34% of the total grain imports of Latvia.
In the first seven months of this year, 82% of the corn imported to Latvia came from Russia. This year, the import of corn from Russia has increased by 63% compared to 2022.
Moreover, taking into account the experience of previous years, it can be 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.
In the first seven months of this year, 82% of the corn imported to Latvia came from Russia. This year, the import of corn from Russia has increased by 63% compared to 2022.
Moreover, taking into account the experience of previous years, it can be 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.
Source: ENG