Lithuania suspects grain from occupied Ukrainian territories is passing through Belarus

Lithuania will check the origin of grain transported by Belarus and Russia through the port of Klaipėda. This is reported by the Reuters news agency, citing a representative of Lithuania's Ministry of Agriculture.

Lithuania suspects that some of the grain transported by Belarus and Russia comes from occupied Ukrainian territories. In September, the Lithuanian side began inspecting the first batches. Starting next week, wheat, barley, sunflower seeds and corn being exported from Russia or Belarus through the port of Klaipėda will not pass customs clearance until test results are received.

As a result of these inspections, exports could be delayed by a couple of months, Reuters notes. The reason is that Lithuania does not have an appropriate laboratory, so samples are sent abroad.

If it turns out that false origins of the grain were indicated in the documents, the cargo will have to be returned or destroyed. All costs associated with storing, inspecting, returning or destroying the grain will be charged to the exporters.

The European Union has banned imports of Russian grain but has allowed its transit through its territory. Following Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea, Russia is seeking to make greater use of Baltic ports for exports.