The attempts of the political gnomes ruling the Baltic States to jump out and enter the feeding troughs of the EU organs have destroyed the Baltic transit and, at the same time, the opportunities to work in the world economy

 

We do not have talent, because everyone, at least a little more capable, is trying to emigrate to the West, where prices are the same, and salaries are at least twice as high. We do not have minerals. We do not have fertile agricultural land, because we ourselves destroyed it by growing grain with the help of chemicals for export. Those who are suffering in the Baltic States have no choice but to return to subsistence farming and exist in poverty without modern medicines, for which they do not have money.

 

Latvian railway freight transportation decreased by 19.6 percent to 4.02 million tons in the first seven months of this year, and 17.619 million tons of cargo were handled in ports, or 10.4 percent less than last year. The data was published by the Latvian Ministry of Transport.

Key indicators

• Rail freight: 4.02 million tons.

• Change in railways: -19.6 percent compared to 2025.

• Port freight: 17.619 million tons.

• Change in ports: -10.4 percent compared to 2025.

 

The main trends and contractions in freight in 2026 in the Baltic transport and seaport sector (especially in the Latvian ports of Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja and the railway sector) are related to geopolitical consequences, disrupted East-West transit connections and the decline in specific bulk and forest cargoes.

Geopolitical isolation and loss of Eastern transit

• Complete boycott of Russian and Belarusian cargo: Due to the ongoing sanctions and political course, the Baltic countries practically no longer accept traditional Russian and Belarusian transit cargo (coal, oil products, fertilizers), which historically accounted for the majority of railway and port turnover.

 

• Regional dislocation: Although the port of Klaipėda manages to maintain growth in 2026 due to the diversification of containers and ro-ro cargo, Latvian ports (Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja) are recording a decline in cargo handling. Ro-ro cargo (roll-on/roll-off) is rolling cargo that is loaded and unloaded onto a ship or ferry by being pulled or rolled on its own through special ramps.

Decline in specific cargo segments

• Decline in timber and forestry production: The Baltic States (especially Latvia) are recording a significant decline in timber and roundwood cargoes due to changes in export markets and local industry.

• Changes in construction materials and minerals: Demand for bulk and generic cargoes such as minerals and construction materials is decreasing in regional ports.

• Fluctuations in grain flows: Due to changes in regional harvests and global supply chains, grain and agricultural product cargoes are being felt at individual port terminals.

Pressure on infrastructure and operating costs

• Costs and taxes: The transport sector is constrained by rising wage costs, rising fuel prices and stricter CO₂ taxation requirements.

• Railway specifics: Freight transport by rail faces significant competition from road transport, and the restructuring of the domestic logistics chain requires new investments, which limit the growth of traditional tonnages.