Latvia has expanded its national import ban to cover a much broader range of agricultural, feed, and food products from Russia and Belarus, according to the ministry. Under the updated rules, the prohibition now applies to live animals, fish and fish products, dairy products, flour products, oilseed seeds, meat products, vegetable and fruit products, and all feed category products, following external trade data that showed continued imports throughout 2026.
Expanded Product Categories Covered by the Ban
Until now, the restrictions applied strictly to grains, vegetables, fruits, and certain feed products. The ministry notes that the updated framework extends the ban further to include coffee, tea, and spices, certain types of animal and vegetable fats and oils, and sugar, molasses, and by-products of sugar production. These items fall within the scope of agricultural and feed products, allowing them to be included in the national import ban under the law.
Data from the ministry indicates that the list of prohibited items was broadened because external trade data showed several groups of agricultural and feed products continued entering Latvia from Russia and Belarus in 2026. Prior to the rule change, these specific commodity groups remained uncovered by existing restrictions.
Did You Know? The expanded national import ban now reaches everyday commodities such as coffee, tea, and spices, alongside live animals, dairy products, and meat goods originating from Russia and Belarus.
Import Values and Recipient Markets
Figures released by the ministry show that in the first seven months of 2026, agricultural, feed, and food products worth 24.9 million euros were imported from Russia and Belarus. Within that total, agricultural and feed product imports amounted to 18.3 million euros, while various food product imports accounted for 6.6 million euros.
External trade records show that the declared recipient countries for these shipments included both Latvia and other European Union member states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products were previously covered by the import ban?
Until the recent update, the import ban applied to grains, vegetables, fruits, and certain feed products.
What new product categories are included in the updated rules?
The new rules apply to live animals, fish and fish products, dairy products, flour products, oilseed seeds, meat products, vegetable and fruit products, all feed category products, coffee, tea, spices, certain animal and vegetable fats and oils, sugar, molasses, and sugar production by-products.
What was the total value of imported products from Russia and Belarus in the first seven months of 2026?
According to data from the ministry, agricultural, feed, and food products worth 24.9 million euros were imported during this period, consisting of 18.3 million euros in agricultural and feed products and 6.6 million euros in various food products.
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