Ukrainian Grain: Will Export be Through Latvia?

Latvian railway authority head, Reinalds Pļavnieks, stated today that the country could begin exporting Ukrainian grain through its ports this fall, with quantities reaching up to one million tons annually. He noted, "Currently, there is an opportunity to transport Ukrainian grain," adding that "we estimate that around 500,000 tons will be shipped annually." The grain must be shipped via Poland, which utilizes rail systems that differ in gauge from those used in Latvia and Ukraine, necessitating two changes that will increase costs. A letter reviewed by Reuters revealed that Lithuania had requested the European Commission last month to develop a route for exporting Ukrainian grain through five ports in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The letter explained that the combined export capacity of the five ports totals 25 million tons annually.