Printed labels of paper or paperboard market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Latvian printed labels market was influenced by ongoing environmental regulations, such as the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 430 on specific environmental requirements for pulp, paper or cardboard production, and a growing consumer preference for sustainable products. This contributed to a stable market volume of around 4 000 t annually until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic significantly boosted demand for packaging and labels. The shift toward healthier and eco-friendly products, coupled with companies adapting through increased digital printing and customized label production, drove a 22% surge in market volume to 4 909 t in 2020.

The market underwent a sharp transformation in 2021, as global supply chain disruptions severely constrained material availability, causing the physical volume to halve to 2 426 t. However, market value rose by 14% to USD 21.6 million, reflecting investments in new technologies like digital printing and a shift toward higher-value, sustainable materials in response to strengthened requirements for recyclability and durability. In 2022, continued global factors, including supply chain challenges and raw material price volatility, led to a further volume decline to 2 186 t, while value stabilized at USD 21.3 million amid the industry's focus on eco-friendly labels made from recycled paper and bioplastics.

Beyond 2022, the market's value exhibited modest fluctuations, increasing to USD 22.1 million in 2023 before dipping to USD 21.3 million in 2024. Throughout the period, legislative and policy changes, such as new labeling requirements under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and the tax on natural resources for single-use items, alongside sustained consumer demand for personalized and high-quality labels, continued to shape the industry's development.

Production printed labels of paper or paperboard in Latvia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Production of printed paper or paperboard labels in Latvia has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 20 961 thousand US dollars, marking a 12.5% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 10.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 241 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 9.4% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Latvia produced 2 714 tonnes of printed paper or paperboard labels, representing a 48.0% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 43.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.3%. The highest production volume was in 2020 at 5 218 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

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

Exports printed labels of paper or paperboard from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of printed paper or paperboard labels from Latvia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 922 tonnes, down 3.1% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 25.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 9.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the main destinations for Latvia's exports of printed paper or paperboard labels in volume terms were Lithuania, accounting for 30.6% of exports, Russia with 24.1%, and Belarus at 21.1%. Together, these three countries made up 75.8% of total export 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

After two years of decline, exports of printed paper or paperboard labels from Latvia rebounded in 2021. Exports amounted to 6 538 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 19.7% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 464 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the primary buyers of printed paper or paperboard labels from Latvia in value terms were Lithuania, representing 27.6% of exports, Russia at 15.3%, and Belarus with 10.7%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 53.6% of total 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 printed labels of paper or paperboard to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Latvia imported 634 tonnes of printed paper or paperboard labels, a decrease of 1.3% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 21.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 502 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 4.1%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2020 at 643 tonnes, with the largest increase of 28.0% occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the three largest sources for Latvia's imports of printed paper or paperboard labels in volume terms were Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland, together accounting for 81.6% 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

Imports of printed paper or paperboard labels into Latvia have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 7 212 thousand US dollars, up 24.6% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 42.7%, with an average annual increase of 12.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 4 931 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 2.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the three main markets for Latvia's imports of printed paper or paperboard labels in value terms were Lithuania, Estonia, and Ukraine, together absorbing 73.2% of total 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