The ban on imports of products originating in Russia and Belarus will henceforth apply not only to agricultural products and animal feed, but also to food products, as provided for by the urgent amendments to the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development adopted by the Saeima in the final reading on Thursday, 24 September.

Since 8 March 2024, Latvia has imposed a national import ban on agricultural products and animal feed originating in Russia and Belarus. Until now, however, the ban did not apply to foodstuffs, which is why certain products manufactured in the aggressor states, such as biscuits and sweets, could still be found on the shelves of Latvian shops, as noted by the authors of the draft law from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The import ban covers a broad range of food products, including caramels, marshmallow confectionery, biscuits, sauces, ready-made soups, chocolate and chocolate confectionery. The ban also applies to seeds of various plants, medicinal herbs, spices, oils and flour-based products. Imports of sugar beet molasses and beet pulp, as well as processed vegetable products such as preserved vegetables, vegetable salads, and apple purée from Russia and Belarus are also prohibited.

The import ban also applies to food products originating in Russia or Belarus that are brought into Latvia via third countries.

Additionally, the explanatory note to the draft law states that Russia and Belarus continue to pose a threat through long-term efforts to exert influence on the state of Latvia, its society and values by political, economic, and information means, as well as to weaken the country’s foreign policy course and internal political stability.

The ban will enter into force on the day following its promulgation.

Saeima Press Service