The chemical and pharmaceutical sector places 4th position according to turnover among manufacturing industries (9,7 % in 2023), 5th place among other industries by number of employees (7.4 % in 2023), and 5th place by share of export in sector sales (76.7 % in 2023). According to the Central Statistical Bureau data, the sector included approximately 518 companies in 2023.

Turnover by Subsector, %
 

Foreign trade

In 2023, chemicals and chemical products took up 47%, plastic and rubber - 27%, and pharmaceutical products – 26%, and of the industry’s export. Currently, the country produces and exports a diverse array of pharmaceuticals and chemical goods, from unique anti-influenza medicine to petrochemicals, household chemicals, and paints.

Export Dynamics

The core export markets are the Netherlands and the Baltic neighbours – Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, and Poland.

Main Export Countries, %

Additional information

Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: www.csb.gov.lv
The Association of Latvian Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry: www.lakifa.lv
Latvian Biotechnology association: en.latbiotech.lv
Life Science Cluster of Latvia: www.lifescience.lv