Latvia Emerges as Top Importer of Russian Grain Amid Redirection of Exports

Latvia, a member of the European Union and NATO, has emerged as one of the top five importers of Russia n grain this marketing season despite strained political ties, as Moscow redirects exports from the Azov-Black Sea basin to Baltic ports. Latvia imported 431,700 metric tons of Russia n grain between July and October, consultancy ProZerno said. Iran remained the largest buyer of Russia n grain during the period, importing 1.716 million tons, helped by strong purchases of barley and corn. Russia has been reshaping its grain export routes after shipments through the Azov-Black Sea basin, its main export corridor, largely stalled in mid-August. Deep-water Baltic ports have become the main outlet, particularly for wheat. According to railway carrier and grain analyst Rusagrotrans, the Baltic route accounted for 65% of Russia n grain exports in September. Exports are being shipped through both Russia n Baltic ports and ports in the Baltic states, chiefly Latvia. Estonia has banned the transit of Russia n grain through its territory, while the Baltic states proposed earlier this month a European Union ban on Russia n grain exports through the bloc. Shipments via the Caspian Sea have also risen sharply, with most cargoes destined for Iran. Egypt, once the largest importer of Russia n wheat and a key destination for Black Sea shipments, imported 1.35 million tons of Russia n grain between July and October, according to ProZerno. Azerbaijan imported 545,000 tons and Nigeria 420,900 tons, placing them among the five largest buyers of Russia n grain this season.