Alliaceous vegetables market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The Latvian market for alliaceous vegetables expanded from 18 386 t in 2018 to 23 695 t in 2020. This growth was supported by regulatory easing in 2019, which removed the requirement for onion seed growers to notify authorities within 60 days of sowing, reducing administrative barriers. In 2020, a strengthened focus on high-quality local produce and enhanced cooperation between agricultural cooperatives and retail chains helped boost domestic production to 14 100 t, increasing overall market volume.

Market volume contracted to 17 111 t in 2021 as domestic production fell sharply to 7 100 t. This period saw the entry of the German discount retailer Lidl into the Latvian market in October 2021, altering the competitive retail landscape. Production recovered to 9 000 t in 2022 after authorities extended the permitted use of the herbicide Focus Ultra for onion cultivation until May 2022, facilitating weed control. By 2023, the market had grown to 18 577 t, aided by a proposed reduction of the VAT rate on fresh vegetables to 12% to stimulate consumption.

For 2024 and 2025, full market size data is not available, but import volumes remained around 17 500 t annually. A key development was the ban on imports of fresh vegetables from Russia and Belarus effective from 8 March 2024, which redirected supply chains. Concurrently, rising energy prices increased production costs, while growing consumer interest in local produce continued to support domestic growers.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2018-2021

Latvia's production of alliaceous vegetables declined after two years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 7 100 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 49.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 18.6%, with an average annual decline of 6.6%. The peak was reached in 2020 at 14 100 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 48.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Latvia's production value of alliaceous vegetables dropped. In 2021, the output was valued at 4 814 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp reduction of 49.2% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 11.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 9 483 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 33.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's exports of alliaceous vegetables declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 4 216 tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 14.9%, with an average annual increase of 4.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 4 927 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 34.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Estonia and Lithuania were the primary buyers of alliaceous vegetables from Latvia, accounting for a combined 96.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Latvia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Latvia's export value of alliaceous vegetables fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 2 858 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value increased by 25.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 679 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 61.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latvia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia and Lithuania remained the main buyers of alliaceous vegetables from Latvia in value terms, holding a combined share of 91.6% of total exports. The rest was spread across other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Latvia in value, 2018-2021

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Latvia's imports of alliaceous vegetables reached 14 227 tonnes, indicating a modest increase of 2.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 6.7%, with an average annual increase of 2.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 14 870 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 11.5%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, the main suppliers of alliaceous vegetables to Latvia were Lithuania (28.6% of imports in volume), the Netherlands (21.8%), and Poland (13.2%), together accounting for 63.7% of total imports in volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Latvia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Latvia's import value of alliaceous vegetables totaled 7 863 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight uptick of 5.2% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, import value increased by 30.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 813 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 46.2%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latvia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (39.8% of imports in value), Lithuania (18.9%), and Spain (9.9%) formed the core of Latvia's imports in value terms, together comprising 68.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Latvia in value, 2018-2021