Beef and buffalo meat market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The Latvian beef market began the period under new EU rules for beef labeling and identification, which set stricter traceability requirements. In 2019, additional obligations to register each animal in a herd book increased the administrative burden for producers, coinciding with a contraction of the domestic market volume to 6 879 t. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted enhanced state coordination of supply chains, while increased CAP support payments helped cushion rising input costs, contributing to a market recovery to 7 318 t.

Stronger demand for beef within the EU in 2021 stimulated Latvian exports and encouraged domestic production, lifting the market volume to 9 442 t. However, the introduction of 'Green Deal' restrictions on livestock holding in 2022 and a sharp 48% drop in imports reduced supply, shrinking the market to 6 882 t. A decline in exports during 2023, due to logistical disruptions and the closure of some key foreign markets, increased domestic availability, and beef's share of total meat production rose to 19.7%, driving the market volume up to 10 636 t.

In 2024, a stricter national beef labeling regime and elevated global energy prices continued to affect production costs. For 2025, the new EU regulation on the labeling of animal products takes effect, altering traceability requirements, while the ongoing CAP 2023-2027 support program provides funding for sector investments.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Latvia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2020, Latvia's beef and buffalo meat production was valued at 40,783 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.3% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, production actually decreased by 6%, averaging an annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 37,310 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.1%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

Latvia's beef and buffalo meat production volume has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 17,040 tonnes, a significant 30.2% increase from the year before. Despite this recent growth, over the 2018-2020 period, production decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 12,408 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 29.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2021, reaching 30.2%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's beef and buffalo meat exports have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volume reached 12,216 tonnes, up 24.4% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 8.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9,601 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands, Finland, and Lithuania were the top destinations for Latvia's beef and buffalo meat exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 59.9% of exports, Finland for 9.3%, and Lithuania for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 77.7% of total export flows.

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 beef and buffalo meat exports have increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports were valued at 46,878 thousand US dollars, a substantial 48.6% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 31,264 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 17.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Finland were the leading destinations for Latvia's beef and buffalo meat exports by value. The Netherlands made up 54.5% of export value, Lithuania 12.1%, and Finland 10.0%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 76.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Latvia imported 4,619 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, a robust 13.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 0.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland consistently led as the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to Latvia by volume. Lithuania accounted for 53.4% of imports, Estonia for 22.3%, and Poland for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 85.1% of total import flows.

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 beef and buffalo meat imports were valued at 23,044 thousand US dollars, a 22.2% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value rose by 18.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 18,857 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland played the leading roles in Latvia's beef and buffalo meat imports by value. Lithuania accounted for 49.4% of import value, Estonia for 21.1%, and Poland for 9.3%. Together, these three countries made up 79.8% of total import flows.

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

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