Edible brassicas market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The Latvian market for fresh or chilled edible brassicas saw significant fluctuations in volume from 2018 to 2023. The period began with the introduction of a reduced 5% VAT rate on fresh fruits, berries, and vegetables at the start of 2018, which improved affordability and supported market consumption. The market volume then grew to over 30 000 t in 2019. However, in 2020, the combined impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and an inflationary crisis, which drove up food prices sharply, led to a contraction in consumption and a drop in the total market volume.

Market volume partially recovered in 2021. A major downturn followed in 2022, when consumer prices for food, including fresh vegetables, rose by approximately 18.4% amid global energy and fertilizer cost volatility, directly reducing purchasing power and market size. During this time, state support programs for production modernization and the emergence of new market players began reshaping the supply side, though these structural changes did not offset the overall decline in consumption that year.

A strong resurgence occurred in 2023, with the market reaching 33 223 t. This growth was primarily driven by restrictions on food imports from Russia and Belarus, which amplified the role of domestic producers and stimulated local consumption. Concurrently, sustained consumer interest in healthy diets, where brassicas are valued for their vitamins and antioxidants, provided additional support for market expansion.

Production edible brassicas in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2018-2021

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2018-2021

In 2021, Latvia produced 20,700 tonnes of edible brassicas, marking a 3.5% increase from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 11.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest production level was in 2019 at 23,400 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 25.8%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant decline, dropping by 14.5%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's exports of edible brassicas have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 4,311 tonnes, a substantial 23.0% jump from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 35.2%, averaging 10.6% growth per year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 2,913 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Estonia and Lithuania dominated Latvia's edible brassicas exports in volume, together accounting for 99.5% of the total 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 edible brassicas exports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export value totaled 3,478 thousand US dollars, a sharp 43.5% rise from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 118.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 29.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia and Lithuania were the key markets for Latvia's edible brassicas exports in value terms, jointly making up 99.6% of total 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 edible brassicas to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

Latvia's imports of edible brassicas have increased for the third year running. In 2021, imports amounted to 13,461 tonnes, a steep 25.3% climb from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 44.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Lithuania, and North Macedonia were the primary sources for Latvia's edible brassicas imports in volume. Poland contributed 33.6%, Lithuania 20.1%, and North Macedonia 13.9%, together representing 67.6% 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 imported edible brassicas worth 3,478 thousand US dollars, a 27.7% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 57%, averaging 16.2% growth per year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 0.9%.

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

During 2018-2021, Poland, Lithuania, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Latvia's edible brassicas imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 25.4%, Lithuania for 17.4%, and the Netherlands for 14.8%, combining for 57.6% 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