Which Russian products will soon also be banned from sale in Latvia?

As previously reported, at the next government meeting, the Cabinet's rules will be adopted, which will prohibit the import into our country of a number of industrial goods produced in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, including books, clothing, and footwear... Today, the government, in order to expand the national ban on the import of products of Russian and Belarusian origin established in Latvia, supported amendments to the law "On the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas." They will create a legal basis for extending the import ban to food products, the country of origin of which is Russia or Belarus, thereby limiting the entry of these products into the Latvian market. "Currently, the national import ban only applies to agricultural and feed products, so it is necessary to expand the scope of regulation to include food products as well. This includes, for example, candies, caramels, chocolate, cookies and other flour confectionery products, sauces, ready-made soups, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and beer. In order for the import ban to be extended to these groups of food products, it is necessary to amend the Law on the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas. The planned regulation will provide for a ban on the import into Latvia of food products of Russian and Belarusian origin even if they are imported through other third countries. At the same time, the ban will not affect the transit and supply of these goods to other EU countries. The need to expand import restrictions is also confirmed by external trade data. In January-July 2026, agricultural, feed, and food products worth €24.9 million were imported from Russia and Belarus to Latvia. Of this, €18.3 million were agricultural and feed products, while €6.6 million were food products. The declared recipient countries included both Latvia and other EU countries. The expansion of the import ban continues Latvia's policy, initiated in 2022, to reduce economic ties with Russia and Belarus and strengthen Latvia's security. The restrictions provided for by the draft law are justified by considerations of national security and the protection of societal morals. After the amendments to the law are adopted, amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers' rules will also be required to specify the list of prohibited products," the press release from the Ministry of Agriculture states.