Cabbages market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in Latvia experienced notable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Volume grew to 28 162 t in 2019, then contracted to 23 966 t in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and accelerated a shift toward e-commerce. A partial recovery to 26 882 t followed in 2021, with pandemic-related adjustments continuing to influence consumer behavior and retail channels.

Market volume fell to 23 174 t in 2022, driven by a specific decline in demand for cabbages linked to reduced consumption and the loss of the Russian export market. A strong rebound occurred in 2023, with the market reaching 30 347 t. This surge coincided with a major rise in domestic production and the ongoing expansion of e-commerce, even amidst broader economic pressures like inflation which encouraged a consumer preference for lower-priced staple vegetables.

Structural changes in the retail sector underpinned these shifts. Major chains like RIMI and MAXIMA consolidated their market positions and expanded their small-format store networks throughout the period. The sustained growth of online grocery shopping, initially boosted by the pandemic, became a permanent feature of the market, altering distribution channels and accessibility for products like cabbage.

Production cabbages in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2018-2021

World map of production of cabbages, 2018-2021

In 2021, Latvia produced 20 500 tons of cabbages, marking a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 23 100 tons, which represented a 25.5% increase from the prior year. However, in 2020, production saw its largest decline of 16.5%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of cabbage production in Latvia reached 12 776 thousand US dollars, up 26.4% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value increased by 53.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 15.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 13 400 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 61.2% rise. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 24.6%.

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

Exports cabbages from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's cabbage exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 3 679 tons, showing a substantial 24.1% growth compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 22.8%, with an average annual increase of 7.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 493 tons, which represented a 16.8% decline from the prior year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia and Lithuania were the main buyers of cabbages from Latvia, together accounting for 99.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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 cabbage exports in value terms have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, export value amounted to 2 293 thousand US dollars, a 47.7% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 69.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.2%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Estonia and Lithuania remained the primary destinations for Latvia's cabbage exports in value terms, with their combined share reaching 99.6% 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 cabbages to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

Latvia's cabbage imports have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 10 061 tons, reflecting a sharp 31.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 46.4%, with an annualized rate of 13.5%.

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

Over the 2018–2021 period, Poland (35.2% of imports in volume), Lithuania (26.3%), and North Macedonia (18.9%) were the leading sources for cabbage imports into Latvia, together making up 80.4% 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 cabbage import value was recorded at 5 830 thousand US dollars, which is 39.5% higher than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 54.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 15.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 17.7% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland (28.0% of imports in value), Lithuania (27.2%), and North Macedonia (19.0%) consistently held the top positions in Latvia's cabbage import structure, jointly accounting for 74.3% 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