Protesters in Jēkabpils are demanding a complete halt to the transit of Russian and occupied Ukrainian grain through Latvia as agricultural volumes surge. According to State Revenue Service data, grain transit from Russia reached 1.115 million tonnes over the first ten months of the year, marking a 3.1-fold increase compared to the 357,645 tonnes recorded during the same period last year.
Protest Organization and Broad Support in Jēkabpils
The demonstration, titled “Asins graudiem – nē!” (“No to Blood Grain!”), is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, starting at 11:00 AM at the agricultural machinery dealer SIA “Amazone” branch territory on Madonas Street 20A in Jēkabpils. The protest initiative is led by farmer and public activist Gundars Kalve, who organized a previous convoy on September 17 that brought approximately 50 vehicles into the city streets. Farmers from Bauska municipality—representing the “Baloži,” “Līdakas,” and “Urštēni” farms as well as the company “Exis”—plan to travel to the site with tractors and trucks.
The demonstration has drawn backing from numerous public figures and organizations. Support has been expressed by the first chairman of the Latvian Popular Front Dainis Īvāns, musicians Ansis and Arturs Skutelis, mountaineer Juris Ulmanis, linguist Janīna Kursīte-Pakule, historian Oskars Krīgers, hockey player Ralfs Freibergs, and National Armed Forces chaplain Elmārs Pļaviņš. Additional organizational backing comes from the Latvian Occupation Museum, the “Ziedot.lv” foundation, “Zemnieku saeima,” “Agendum,” “Sievietes aizsardzībai Skudras,” “Latviešu leģiona draugu klubs,” “Tavi draugi,” the “Tavi draugi” military close-combat club, “Par Tēvzemi,” the Jēkabpils Latvian Society, “Daugavas pārupieši,” the Education and Cultural Center “Ukrainas māja Latvijā,” the rural entrepreneurs association “UA&LV,” the sports club “Namejs,” “Brīvības konvojs,” “Bruņotava,” student corporation “Fraternitas Arctica,” “Izaicini sevi,” the Young Farmers Club, and “Uzņēmēji mieram.” Furthermore, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs confirmed during a Friday, November 6 press conference that he plans to attend the protest.
Did You Know? The recent spike in transit is heavily concentrated in the autumn months, with 346,952 tonnes of Russian grain transported through Latvia in September and 425,163 tonnes in October alone, accounting for roughly 69% of the total volume moved over the first ten months of the year.
Grain transit debate reveals sharp divisions
The debate over grain transit reveals sharp divisions between agricultural producers, transit operators, and government officials regarding economic impacts and security implications.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has explained that a unilateral ban is complicated because the grain moving through Latvia belongs to allied buyers in countries such as the United States and Japan, though Estonia’s government has banned Russian grain transit through its territory.
Expert Insight: The friction between national security imperatives and transit revenues highlights the difficult policy choices facing Baltic states. While neighboring Estonia has instituted national bans to sever economic ties with Moscow, Latvian authorities must balance public pressure and solidarity with Ukraine against significant projected losses in logistics revenue and complex international trade obligations involving allied nations.
Protesters demand halt to grain transit
When and where is the protest taking place?
The protest action named “Asins graudiem – nē!” will take place on Saturday, November 7, starting at 11:00 AM at the agricultural machinery dealer SIA “Amazone” branch territory on Madonas Street 20A in Jēkabpils.
What specific demands are the organizers making?
Protesters are demanding a complete halt to the transit of Russian and occupied Ukrainian grain through Latvia, stricter controls on grain origin, and the public release of economic impact calculations regarding the transit trade.
How much Russian grain has been moved through Latvia this year?
According to State Revenue Service data, 1.115 million tonnes of Russian grain were transported in transit through Latvia during the first ten months of the year, which is 3.1 times higher than the 357,645 tonnes recorded during the same period in the previous year.
How will the outcome of Saturday’s demonstration influence future government transit policies in Latvia?
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