The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers on August 11, 2026, approved amendments to the Agriculture and Rural Development Law to expand national import bans on products from Russia and Belarus. The planned ban targets the import of sweets, non-alcoholic drinks, and beer originating from these countries. Previously, import bans applied only to agricultural and fodder products. The amendments aim to include food products such as candies, caramels, chocolate, cookies, flour confectionery, sauces, and ready-made soups. The ban will not affect transit or supply of these goods to other EU member states. This policy continues Latvia's efforts since 2022 to reduce economic ties with Russia and Belarus, motivated by national security and public morality concerns. The final decision on the amendments will be made by the Latvian Parliament (Saeima). In the first seven months of 2026, Latvia imported agricultural, fodder, and food products from Russia and Belarus worth 24.9 million euros, including 18.3 million euros of agricultural and fodder products and 6.6 million euros of food products. Recent related legal changes include a July 23, 2026, Saeima approval to ban imports of Russian and Belarusian books, clothing, and toys. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that additional ministerial regulation amendments will clarify the list of banned products.

The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers on August 11, 2026, approved amendments to the Agriculture and Rural Development Law to expand national import bans on products from Russia and Belarus. The planned ban targets the import of sweets, non-alcoholic drinks, and beer originating from these countries. Previously, import bans applied only to agricultural and fodder products. The amendments aim to include food products such as candies, caramels, chocolate, cookies, flour confectionery, sauces, and ready-made soups. The ban will not affect transit or supply of these goods to other EU member states. This policy continues Latvia's efforts since 2022 to reduce economic ties with Russia and Belarus, motivated by national security and public morality concerns. The final decision on the amendments will be made by the Latvian Parliament (Saeima). In the first seven months of 2026, Latvia imported agricultural, fodder, and food products from Russia and Belarus worth 24.9 million euros, including 18.3 million euros of agricultural and fodder products and 6.6 million euros of food products. Recent related legal changes include a July 23, 2026, Saeima approval to ban imports of Russian and Belarusian books, clothing, and toys. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that additional ministerial regulation amendments will clarify the list of banned products.