Latvia to verify grain to ensure it was not stolen by Russia from occupied territories

Latvia will use isotopic and chemical analysis to determine the geographical origin of agricultural products, which will help detect grain illegally exported from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

Details: Ukraine, the UK and Latvia are strengthening cooperation to counter the illegal export of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories.

On 21 October 2026, the countries signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Grain Verification Scheme (GVS).

The document defines mechanisms for the joint verification of the origin of agricultural products using scientific methods. This will allow the identification of suspicious batches of grain and the formation of an evidence base regarding its possible illegal appropriation and export.

The memorandum was signed by Taras Vysotskyi, Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food; Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and Uldis Augulis, Latvia's Minister of Agriculture.

"The signing of the document is a continuation of the agreements reached during a working meeting between Ukraine and Latvia in Riga on 25 September 2026, where the parties agreed on practical steps to implement the GVS and prepare a trilateral memorandum involving the UK," the ministry said.

A key tool for cooperation will be the Grain Verification Scheme, which makes it possible to determine the geographical origin of agricultural products using isotopic and chemical analysis.

To do this, samples will be compared with a reference database containing information on products with a confirmed origin.

The verification process will cover wheat, maize, barley and sunflower seeds.

This approach will help detect batches of products of dubious origin and obtain scientifically sound data that can serve as evidence of their possible illegal export from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Quote from Vysotskyi: "The Grain Verification Scheme will make it possible to scientifically confirm its origin and create additional opportunities to counter illegal trade. Every attempt to legalise stolen Ukrainian grain must be met with an appropriate response."

Details: The signed memorandum defines cooperation mechanisms between the three countries. In particular, it provides for access to the GVS system by authorised bodies, the exchange of scientific data and the coordination of specialised laboratories' work.

To ensure effective interaction, the parties will appoint responsible representatives, hold regular technical consultations and coordinate joint actions in the event that suspicious batches of agricultural products are detected.

Background:

• Estonia has introduced a ban on the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through its territory in response to Russia's blockade of grain exports from Ukraine.
• The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) uncovered a scheme to legalise Ukrainian grain worth over UAH 60 million (about US$1.4 million) that the Russians had illegally exported from temporarily occupied Mariupol. The heads of an Odesa-based company who helped sell the stolen grain were detained.
• A Swedish court ruled that the seizure of the merchant vessel Caffa in the Baltic Sea was lawful and permitted its transfer to Ukraine as part of an investigation into the export of grain from Russian-occupied territories.

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