Published: 10:30, February 23, 2024 | Updated: 10:44, February 23, 2024
Latvia bans imports of Russian, Belarusian agricultural products
By Xinhua

Farmers harvest at a field in Ussuriysk, Russia, Oct 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

RIGA - Latvian lawmakers on Thursday adopted a ban on imports of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products.

The bill, adopted through a fast-track procedure, also prohibits products from Russia and Belarus imported into Latvia from third countries.

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It still needs approval from the president of Latvia before it comes into force.

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The ban will be effective until July 1, 2025, but can be extended in the future if necessary, according to the parliamentary press service.

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In 2023, Latvia imported 423,732 tons of grain products from Russia, an increase of 59.9 percent from 2022. Meanwhile, the value of grain imports from Russia rose 11.7 percent year-on-year to 89 million euros ($96 million), according to data from the State Revenue Service.