# Latvia approves grain testing to verify transit origin

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/baltic-port-investigations-into-stolen-ukrainian-grain
> Updated: 2026-09-08T10:50:00.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4.

Latvian and Lithuanian authorities continue to investigate reports that stolen grain from occupied Ukrainian territories is being moved through Baltic ports using fraudulent Russian documentation. To address these security gaps, the Latvian government has approved amendments to cabinet regulations allowing the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) to conduct laboratory testing on transit grain shipments to verify their declared country of origin.

According to PVD Director General Māris Balodis, the cost of these inspections—estimated at 900 to 1,000 euros per shipment—will be borne by the sender. Because analysis can take up to a month, shipments may only proceed after prepayment; if a sender refuses to pay, the shipment will be denied border crossing. This measure targets the risk of grain declared as Russian actually originating from occupied Ukrainian territories.

As Russian exporters redirect shipments from the Black Sea toward Baltic routes, grain volumes in these ports rose from 865,000 to 1.2 million tons in the first half of the year. Consequently, Latvia and Lithuania are considering stricter measures, including a potential complete ban on Russian grain exports through Latvian territory. Lithuanian authorities have previously characterized the use of their port infrastructure for such deliveries as “inacceptable”, a stance that could impact transit between the Russian region of Kaliningrad and the rest of the Russian Federation.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Latvia to implement grain transit inspections to verify origin

Latvia is introducing laboratory testing for transit grain shipments to verify their origin and prevent illegally obtained grain from occupied Ukrainian territories from being moved through Latvian ports.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-to-implement-grain-transit-inspections-to-verify-origin

### 2026-09-06: Latvia and Lithuania consider bans on Russian grain transit

Latvia and Lithuania are weighing bans on Russian grain transit, while Latvia has also prohibited imports of Russian and Belarusian books and media to combat propaganda and enhance national security.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-and-lithuania-consider-bans-on-russian-grain-transit

### 2026-09-06: Latvia to implement laboratory testing for transit grain origin

Latvia plans to introduce laboratory testing for transit grain shipments to verify their origin and prevent illegal Russian, Belarusian, or occupied Ukrainian grain from passing through Latvian ports.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-to-implement-laboratory-testing-for-transit-grain-origin

### 2026-09-02: Baltic ports face investigation over suspected transit of stolen Ukrainian grain

Latvian and Lithuanian authorities are investigating reports that stolen Ukrainian grain is being falsely declared as Russian to transit through Baltic ports, potentially aiding the Russian war economy.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-to-investigate-grain-transit-origins-at-ports

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Cite as: Latvia approves grain testing to verify transit origin. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/baltic-port-investigations-into-stolen-ukrainian-grain