In Lithuania, there is a growing concern among vegetable farmers regarding the influx of Russian-grown cucumbers and tomatoes. These products are reported to enter the Lithuanian market through Belarus and Poland, utilizing falsified origin documents to mask their true origin. The Lithuanian Greenhouse Association highlighted that these vegetables, particularly cucumbers and tomatoes, are being sold at significantly lower prices compared to locally grown or those imported from Poland or Latvia, thereby undermining local producers.
Vytenis Tomkus, the country's agriculture vice minister, addressed the issue, emphasizing the difficulty in controlling the movement of goods within the European Union due to the absence of border checks. He suggested that restricting the entry of these goods into the EU could be a viable solution. In response to this situation, Lithuania, along with Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, has appealed to the European Commission to consider imposing restrictions on food imports from Russia and Belarus. Currently, food products from these countries are not subject to sanctions.
Paulius Andriejavas, the board chairman of the Lithuanian Greenhouse Association, noted that most of the Russian vegetables are suspected to enter Lithuania with Polish documents, which may lead some local entrepreneurs to unknowingly sell Russian-grown produce. According to Vice Minister Tomkus, Lithuania did not directly import cucumbers or tomatoes from Russia last year, with imports primarily consisting of mushrooms, peas, and cereals.
Source: lrt.lt