Beer market in Latvia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Latvian beer market began the period with structural shifts as retail chains like Rimi and Maxima expanded their small-format stores, increasing competition. At the same time, the opening of the new Labietis brewery and its consolidation into the Rīgas alus kvartāls created a major local production site. Consumer preferences started moving toward super-premium beers and non-alcoholic varieties, which began to reshape the market's value. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated a shift to e‑commerce and reduced on‑premise consumption, contributing to an overall decline in beer volume while boosting demand for non‑alcoholic options.

From 2021 onward, market dynamics were heavily influenced by regulatory and cost factors. An excise tax reduction for certain beer categories took effect in mid‑2022, while a ban on advertising beer prices and discounts was introduced. These changes coincided with a continued drop in domestic production as major brewers moved part of their operations to Lithuania and Estonia, keeping the share of imported beer high. The non‑alcoholic segment grew rapidly, with volumes surging by 45% between 2021 and 2022. Simultaneously, global glass shortages driven by the war in Ukraine pushed packaging costs higher, putting additional pressure on producers.

After 2022, the market’s volume continued to contract, falling to 124.1 million liters in 2024, a 32% decrease compared to 2018. In value terms, the market peaked at 125.4 million USD in 2023 before declining to 106.3 million USD in 2024, reflecting both lower volume and changing price dynamics.

Production beer in Latvia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, K l

Exports beer from Latvia

Exports in kind, M l

Latvian beer exports experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2021, export volume reached 26.5 million liters, marking a significant 25.9% decrease compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, exports actually increased by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2020 at 35.8 million liters, when exports saw their largest annual increase of 29.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia's beer export markets were quite diversified. Russia accounted for 19.5% of exports in volume, Lithuania for 16.0%, and Estonia for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 42.2% of total export flows, while the remaining 57.8% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

After two years of growth, the value of beer exports from Latvia declined. In 2021, exports totaled 28 128 thousand US dollars, representing a 19.6% year-over-year decrease. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, export value actually increased by 24.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2020 at 34 985 thousand US dollars, when exports saw their largest annual increase of 37.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia's beer export markets in value terms showed significant diversification. Lithuania accounted for 15.0% of export value, Russia for 14.6%, and China for 9.9%. Combined, these three markets represented only 39.5% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across many 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 beer to Latvia

Imports in kind, M l

Beer imports into Latvia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import volume totaled 89.5 million liters, down 19.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 27.9%, which corresponds to an average annual decline rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Throughout 2018-2021, Lithuania and Estonia remained the dominant suppliers of beer to Latvia, together accounting for 84.1% of total import volume. All other countries combined represented the remaining share of imports.

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

The value of beer imports into Latvia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 48 258 thousand US dollars, showing a 15.0% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 59 036 thousand US dollars, when imports saw their largest annual increase of 0.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Estonia (33.4% of import value), Lithuania (33.0%), and Mexico (11.3%) led the ranking of beer suppliers to Latvia. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.7% of total import value during this period.

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

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