Latvia estimates annual losses from halting Russian grain transit at €290 million

Latvia's Transport Ministry estimates that stopping grain transit from Russia could cost the transport industry about €290 million a year. The figure is a scenario estimate rather than a loss already incurred.

Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported the assessment on October 15. It said the government had reviewed the report in early September, but access to the document had previously been restricted.

The ministry said Latvian Railways' lost revenue would need to be compensated from the state budget to preserve its legally required financial balance.

It estimated that losing transit traffic could increase domestic rail transport costs by two and a half to three times. That would affect logistics for Latvian grain, wood pellets, fuel and other cargo.

Authorities are discussing a transit ban or a steep increase in charges. According to Latvian State Revenue Service data cited by RIA Novosti, transit from Russia totalled five hundred and ninety-three point six six thousand tonnes of grain from the start of 2026 through September, with contracts for a further three hundred thousand tonnes.