EBA calls on Government to prevent the expansion of Russian agricultural exports via the Baltic region

06/ 10/ 2026

The European Business Association has called on the Ukrainian Government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with the Baltic states and EU institutions in light of the potential increase in Russian agricultural exports through Baltic Sea ports. According to publicly available sources, disruptions to the operation of Black Sea and Azov Sea ports could lead Russian exporters to reroute shipments of grain, oilseeds and processed agricultural products to ports in the Baltic region for onward access to international markets. Of particular concern is the potential risk of re-labelling, blending or concealing the origin of agricultural products, including those that may originate from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. For Ukraine’s agricultural sector, the issue also has a direct economic dimension. Ukraine and Russia compete for access to global grain and oilseed markets. It is therefore important to prevent the development of new logistics infrastructure that could enable Russia to circumvent restrictions and increase competitive pressure on Ukrainian producers and exporters. The Association also notes that some Baltic countries are already considering measures to strengthen controls and restrict the transit of Russian agricultural products. Business considers it important for Ukraine to support such initiatives and promote their coordination at EU level. In this regard, the European Business Association called on the Government to urgently intensify diplomatic consultations with the governments of the Baltic states and EU institutions.

According to publicly available sources, disruptions to the operation of Black Sea and Azov Sea ports could lead Russian exporters to reroute shipments of grain, oilseeds and processed agricultural products to ports in the Baltic region for onward access to international markets.

Of particular concern is the potential risk of re-labelling, blending or concealing the origin of agricultural products, including those that may originate from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

For Ukraine’s agricultural sector, the issue also has a direct economic dimension. Ukraine and Russia compete for access to global grain and oilseed markets. It is therefore important to prevent the development of new logistics infrastructure that could enable Russia to circumvent restrictions and increase competitive pressure on Ukrainian producers and exporters.

The Association also notes that some Baltic countries are already considering measures to strengthen controls and restrict the transit of Russian agricultural products. Business considers it important for Ukraine to support such initiatives and promote their coordination at EU level.

In this regard, the European Business Association called on the Government to urgently intensify diplomatic consultations with the governments of the Baltic states and EU institutions.