Lithuania suspended the transit of Belarusian rapeseed oil, pressed from plants from Ukraine's territories occupied by Russia. This is the reaction of Vilnius to the results of the investigation conducted by journalists of the 15min.LT portal together with the Belarusian Investigative Center and a team of programmers from Ukraine Kiborg.
During the investigation, it was established that from 2023. rapeseed from occupied territories Ukrainemainly from the Craperson District, it is exported to Belarus. The main recipient is Agroprodukt from Brest. It produces rapeseed oil, which is then exported by Lithuania down Norway, Israel, ChinaUnited Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
The agroprodukt is not on the sanction lists, so before the Lithuanian authorities did not pay attention to transit. According to Lithuanian railways, in 2024 almost 50,000 traveled through Lithuania. tonnes of agroproduct oil. However, the data that leaked Belarusian in turn shows that this amount turned out to be much larger, because the transport was involved in several Lithuanian companies.
The EU did not ban the import of food from Russia
Ministry of Agriculture Lithuania, commenting on the situation, reminds that European Union It did not prohibit the import of food or increased duties to rapeseed oil. According to the ministry, the only way to stop Russian and Belarusian products from entering the EU is to create conditions that will make them uncomfortable, but – as emphasized – the decision should be made at EU level.
In June last year, Lithuania completed the list of agricultural products with Russia and Belarus under the ban on imports. Rapeseed oil has been added to the list. The ban did not apply to transit goods.
Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine was the main supplier of rapeseed oil to the EU. Currently, Belarus took its place on the EU market – reminds BNS.
Source of the main photo: Tvn24