Pork market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the Latvian pork market contracted from 69 386 tons in 2018 to 63 368 tons in 2020. This decline was initially driven by rising living costs, which pressured consumer spending, and was further exacerbated in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused significant disruptions to supply chains and reduced demand within the commercial service sector.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market volume rising to 70 207 tons. This growth was supported by improving labor market conditions and a fall in unemployment, which increased household purchasing power for products like pork. The market then stabilized in 2022 at 70 347 tons, as uncertainty stemming from regulatory changes under the EU Green Deal affected logistics and related industries.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 61 740 tons. This drop was linked to a decline in labor market activity and a shrinking working-age population, which weakened overall consumer demand and purchasing behavior.

Production pork in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

In 2021, Latvia produced 38 thousand tons of pork, marking a 1.6% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 37 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 41 thousand tons. The most significant drop was observed in 2020 at 8.4%, whereas the largest growth took place in 2019 with a 4.7% increase.

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

Exports pork from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's cross-border shipments of pork have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 6 076 tons, showing a substantial 45.8% jump from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 108.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 27.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Lithuania and Estonia were the leading destinations for Latvia's pork exports in volume terms, together accounting for 86.3% of total shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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 pork exports in value terms have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 16 576 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 59.7% increase over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports expanded by 135.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 33.0%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Lithuania and Estonia remained the primary buyers of Latvian pork in value terms, jointly holding a 91.7% share of total exports. Other countries made up the rest of the market.

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

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

Imports pork to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

Latvia's pork imports in volume terms have increased for the second straight year. In 2021, imports totaled 38 433 tons, representing a notable 26.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports grew by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 293 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 12.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Estonia, and Belgium were the top sources for Latvia's pork imports in volume terms, with shares of 24.6%, 18.7%, and 17.6%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.9% 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

Following a two-year decline, Latvia's pork imports in value terms rebounded in 2021. Imports reached 77 855 thousand US dollars, indicating a solid 17.3% increase over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 12.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 66 350 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 at 2.4%.

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

Over the 2018–2021 period, Estonia, Denmark, and Belgium emerged as the key markets for Latvia's pork imports in value terms, with shares of 22.4%, 20.0%, and 16.0%, respectively. Collectively, they represented 58.4% 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