In response to the situation in the region, the Lithuanian Agriculture Ministry is tightening controls on grain imports from Russia and other high-risk countries.
All grain and grain product shipments from the countries in question will be stopped and inspected once the minister’s order comes into force.
The list of high-risk countries includes Russia, Belarus, Transnistria, Russia’s annexed Crimea, and other Russia-controlled Ukrainian territories, as well as Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Every train carriage or vehicle carrying grain and grain products from the countries and territories on the list will be inspected. Produce will be tested for pesticide residues, mycotoxins and metals (lead and cadmium), and checked for origin.
The tightened measures will apply both to goods imported into Lithuania and to those transiting through the Klaipėda Port, the ministry said in a press release.
Last week, the Latvian parliament passed a temporary ban on imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus until at least July 2025. Latvia said the move is aimed at cutting economic ties with aggressor countries and that it is complementary to the EU sanctions.
Lithuania said it would not follow Latvia in banning the imports of Russian grain completely but would impose additional restrictions.
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