Estonia bans transit of Russian, Belarusian grain

Estonia has prohibited the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through its territory, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced on October 1. The move is intended to prevent Baltic ports from becoming a transit route for Russian grain, which has been increasingly rerouted due to disruptions in Black Sea exports caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ports.

Tsahkna stated on X that Russia's actions against Ukrainian ports and grain exports, followed by its search for new routes for its own grain, would not be facilitated by Estonia. Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, has faced challenges shipping grain via the Black Sea. Some Russian grain has been redirected to Baltic ports in Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania, though these terminals can handle only a fraction of the volume typically exported through southern ports.

While Estonia has not yet been used for Russian grain exports, the ban is a preventative measure. Tsahkna emphasized that Estonia is collaborating with Latvia and Lithuania to ensure Baltic ports do not serve as a transit route for Russia. Latvia had previously announced plans to impose a 300% tariff on grain originating from Russia and Belarus. Tallinn has also committed to working with its Baltic neighbors to prevent the export of grain that Russia has allegedly looted from occupied Ukrainian territories. The announcement comes amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian ports in the Azov and Black Seas, alongside continued Russian assaults on Ukrainian ports and merchant vessels.