In 2022, Russian-origin cargo accounted for nearly 22% of all freight transported on Latvia's railroads, although this figure has significantly decreased in 2023 due to international sanctions.
Last year, freight originating from Russia constituted almost 22% of total cargo transported by Latvia's railways, according to representatives of the state-owned company Latvijas dzelzceΔΌΕ‘ (LDz). In addition, Belarusian cargo made up 9% of the total freight transported. The company noted that Russia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Estonia were the main origins of transported freight in 2025. However, compared to 2024, the volume of Russian cargo has decreased by more than half (51%), while Belarusian cargo has diminished by 16%.
LDz also highlighted that Russia and Belarus are the only countries from which the volume of railway transportation has declined. The reduction in freight transport volumes has been influenced for several years by international sanctions imposed on both Russia and Belarus. The sanctions have continued to strengthen, with an increasing number of physical and legal persons subjected to these restrictions, alongside additional regulations on the circulation of goods. This trend indicates an ongoing impact of geopolitical tensions on regional trade and transport networks, significantly affecting the freight dynamics in Latvia.
As sanctions continue to affect logistics and trade dynamics in the region, the Latvian government and its railway sector may have to explore alternative cargo sources and transport routes to sustain operations and mitigate the economic impacts. The decreasing transport volume from these nations poses challenges for both railway revenue and the overall cargo transport landscape in Latvia, calling for strategic adjustments in response to the rapidly evolving regional context.
