An analysis of EUROSTAT data by Russia's SPUTNIK news agency shows that EU imports of Russian cereals rose by a third in March compared with the previous month, mainly thanks to Greece and Spain.

In the early spring, the EU imported 125,200 tons of Russian grain, compared with 92,600 tons last month and 100,000 tons in the same period last year. Monthly purchases are up 35 percent, and year-over-year purchases are up 25 percent.

The increase was due to a sharp increase in imports from Greece - almost nine times that of the previous month, from 3,300 tonnes to 29,000 tonnes. In addition, Spain increased Russian grain imports from 14,000 tons to 24,000 tons.

Italy's grain purchases also increased significantly, from 2,000 tons in February to 12,000 tons in March. During the reporting period, Poland's purchases increased 1.8 times to 15,800 tons.

Latvia remained the main importer with 47,000 tonnes, accounting for 37 per cent of the EU's total imports of Russian cereals.

In March, Latvia banned imports of Russian grain, but left open the possibility of its transit. Soon after, the European Union put forward a proposal to impose tariffs on it. A European Commission spokesman said in early May that EU member states were reviewing the proposal.