Honey market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Latvia showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume stood at 2 253 t in 2018, edged down to 2 173 t in 2019, then dropped sharply to 1 685 t in 2020. A sustained recovery followed, with volume rising to 1 881 t in 2021, advancing to 2 123 t in 2022, and reaching 2 181 t in 2023, marking a return to pre‑2020 levels with steady growth in the latter years.

Market stability in 2023 was underpinned by active promotion from the Latvian Beekeeping Association, which organized events like Bread and Honey Day with tastings and educational activities to raise consumer awareness and stimulate demand. Concurrently, Latvian shoppers became more discerning, increasingly prioritizing honey quality and origin. By 2024, the expansion of e‑commerce in Latvia began reshaping distribution, making honey and beekeeping products more accessible through online sales channels.

Production honey in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of honey, 2018-2021

World map of production of honey, 2018-2021

Latvia's honey production reached 2 135 tonnes in 2021, marking a significant increase of 27.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 6.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 152 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 679 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 22.0%.

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

Exports honey from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's honey exports have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totalled 587.6 tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 102.4% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 258.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 53.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Estonia, and Germany were the top buyers of Latvian honey, accounting for 45.3%, 25.5%, and 11.7% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 82.5% of Latvia's total honey exports.

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

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms varied significantly, with a low of 804 thousand US dollars in 2019 and a high of 2 455 thousand US dollars in 2021, representing a 3.1-fold difference. In 2021, Latvia's honey exports in value rose by 121.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Estonia, and Germany were the leading buyers of Latvian honey in value terms, with shares of 41.6%, 25.0%, and 10.8%, respectively. Combined, these countries accounted for 77.4% of Latvia's total honey export value.

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

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

Imports honey to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

Latvia's honey imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 333.7 tonnes, showing a strong rise of 12.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 264.3 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in the same year at 36.9%.

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

In the years 2018 to 2021, Poland, Lithuania, and China were the main sources of honey imports to Latvia in volume terms, with shares of 43.5%, 30.2%, and 19.7%, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 93.5% of Latvia's total honey 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

Latvia's honey imports in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 1 095 thousand US dollars, up by 36.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 9.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 681 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in that same year at 32.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Poland, Lithuania, and China played the leading roles in Latvia's honey imports in value terms, with shares of 37.3%, 34.8%, and 13.6%, respectively. Jointly, these countries accounted for 85.7% of Latvia's total honey import value.

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

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