The food and beverage industry is the second largest industrial sector in Latvia, producing around 21 % of the total output in manufacturing in 2020. About 1280 companies and registered private merchants are active in the food processing industry.
In 2020, 20 % of all the people employed in manufacturing worked in the food industry.
Sector output in 2020 – EUR 2.0 billion. Export proportion of total sector’s turnover in 2020 – 38.5 %
As shown in this graphic, Latvia’s food sector has enjoyed steady and stable growth over an extended period. However, the global financial crisis was also felt in the food industry, which clearly affected industry output in 2009. More recently, in 2015, the industry was badly affected by Russia’s import embargo. Today, we can see slow but steady recovery from both of these crises. While experienced companies have managed to restructure their product lines and export markets, numerous young and dynamic companies have also been founded and are supplying new, healthy products to both local and foreign markets.
Sector exports
For obvious geographic reasons, the main export markets for Latvian food-processing companies are Lithuania and Estonia. Europe is a large market that consumes many Latvian products: cheeses, butter, milk and milk powders, canned fish, fruit and berry preparations, pickles, various grains, meat products, confectionery, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
In addition to the export markets above, Latvian products are also sold in the UAE, South Africa, US, Israel, etc. Our products can be found all over the world under our own labels, different private labels, and as ingredients in diverse foods.
Latvian companies in industry
Database of Latvian exporters
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: www.csb.gov.lv
Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia: www.zm.gov.lv
Latvian Federation of Food Enterprises: www.lpuf.lv
Latvian Traders Association: www.lta.lv
Food and Veterinary Service: www.pvd.gov.lv
Rural Development Service: www.lad.gov.lv
Latvian Institute of Agrarian Economics: www.lvaei.lv