Latvian parliament extends ban to Russian and Belarusian food

Latvia’s parliament has extended the country’s import ban on goods originating in Russia and Belarus to include food products, LSM reported. Lawmakers approved the changes to the Agriculture and Rural Development Law in a final reading on Thursday under an expedited procedure.

The ban previously covered only agricultural and animal-feed products. It will now also apply to foods such as sweets, chocolate, biscuits and other flour-based confectionery, sauces, ready-made soups, non-alcoholic drinks and beer.

The restrictions will apply even if the products are brought into Latvia through other third countries. They will not affect transit or deliveries to other European Union member states.

Latvia imported agricultural, animal-feed and food products worth 24.9 million euros from Russia and Belarus in the first seven months of 2026, according to Agriculture Ministry trade data. Of that total, 18.3 million euros was agricultural and animal-feed products and 6.6 million euros was food. The declared destinations included Latvia and other EU member states.

The government must now amend its regulations to specify the list of prohibited products.