LTG: Transit of Russian grain through Klaipėda is not banned

Russian grain is being moved through Lithuania’s Klaipėda port to third countries because Lithuania’s national sanctions prohibit imports into the domestic market, not transit, the state railway group LTG says.

Sandra Trinkūnaitė-Rimkienė, an LTG representative, said about 90% of the Russian grain products carried by LTG Cargo travel in transit from Russia to Kaliningrad. A smaller amount, about 50,000 tonnes this year, has moved from Kaliningrad through Klaipėda to third countries.

According to the documents, that grain was grown in Kaliningrad. Transit to Kaliningrad is regulated by the agreement governing Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, Trinkūnaitė-Rimkienė said.

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About 90% of the Russian grain products carried by LTG Cargo travel in transit from Russia to Kaliningrad. A small amount, about 50,000 tonnes, was also transported this year from Kaliningrad through Klaipėda to third countries. According to the documents, the products were grown in Kaliningrad.

She emphasized that no grain had been transported by rail from continental Russia to Klaipėda in 2026. Since May 29, 2024, Lithuanian law has barred imports of Russian- and Belarusian-origin grain into Lithuania. “However, this ban applies only to imports into the Lithuanian market, while transit through Lithuanian territory is not prohibited. Grain is not a sanctioned product,” she said.

The issue emerged after the Lithuanian Grain Processors and Traders Association reported that Russian grain was being loaded at the country’s port.

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However, this ban applies only to imports into the Lithuanian market, while transit through Lithuanian territory is not prohibited. Grain is not a sanctioned product.