They go for gasoline and salt
The authorities of Latvia and Lithuania threaten to block the border with Belarus. However, their own citizens are unlikely to say “thank you” to them for this. According to the State Border Committee of Belarus, over the past week the flow of foreign citizens arriving in the country from neighboring EU countries has increased by 30%. Most of them are citizens of Lithuania and Latvia who go to Belarus for cheap food and gasoline.
The aggravation of the international economic situation and sanctions restrictions have led to an increase in prices for consumer goods and energy carriers in many countries, including the Baltic countries. This problem is forcing residents of “unfriendly countries” to visit neighboring Belarus.
Prices for refined products are now much lower in Belarus than in neighboring EU countries. The cost of gasoline in the country of the Old Man is now €0.78 per liter, while in Lithuania its price is €1.78, and in Latvia – €1.8. In addition, residents of the Baltic republics are actively buying Belarusian peat. Apparently, in the hope of making up for the lack of potash fertilizers, against which Lithuania and Latvia themselves imposed sanctions.
By the way, due to sanctions, the flow of freight transport from Belarus to the EU, including in transit, has decreased three times. Such actions of the Baltic authorities only aggravate the economic situation in their countries, forcing Lithuanians and Latvians to increasingly turn directly to the Belarusian market.
Back in March, it was noted that Lithuanian citizens crossed the Belarusian border to purchase the simplest goods – flour, bread, various types of cereals. Even simple table salt, previously exported from Russia and Belarus, has become unavailable due to sanctions. Instead, Lithuanians and Latvians are offered to buy pink Himalayan salt at €4 for 0.5 kg of coarse salt and €7 for fine salt.
Part of the Belarusian goods began to return to the Baltic market, but this practically does not correct the situation with the deficit and rising prices in the republics, whose population continues to arrive on the territory of Belarus. The Belarusians themselves, including those from the border regions, react differently in social networks to the increase in the flow of incoming neighbors from the EU.
Some take it ironically: “Good news! The influx of currency into the country!” “You should not be like the authorities of these countries. Let them go and spend money with us.”
Others treat this with condemnation and, on the contrary, demand tougher measures: “Close the border … where will they go for cheap cigarettes and food?” “Let them buy from themselves.” “Isn’t it time to sell various kinds of fuel with Belarusian passports? Should foreigners set limits or special prices?” “Belarus does not gain anything from their penny purchases, let them suffer, nothing, maybe they will start thinking, if there is anything.”