Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The Latvian market for salted and smoked pork grew from 11 388 tons in 2018 to 12 528 tons in 2019, supported by the government's active opposition to EU proposals that would have restricted traditional smoking methods, safeguarding local producers. This period also benefited from rising consumer demand for locally sourced and organic meat products. However, market volume fell to 11 650 tons in 2020 as global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic affected production and trade.

After a further contraction to 11 076 tons in 2021, the market rebounded to 11 502 tons in 2022 and surged to 13 067 tons in 2023. In 2024, consumption dropped sharply to 9 413 tons, even as Latvian authorities continued their efforts to protect traditional smoking practices from EU regulatory changes and consumer interest in sustainable options persisted.

By 2025, industry reports valued the Latvian meat processing sector at approximately €600 million, noting that sustainable practices were increasingly influencing production methods, while health and sustainability trends were shaping consumer behavior.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in Latvia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Latvia's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork declined in 2021 after two years of growth. The output was valued at 42 711 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 7.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 9.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 46 035 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 15.1%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia ranked as the 29th largest global producer of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork.

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2018-2021

Latvia's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork fell for the second year in a row in 2021. The country produced 10 616 tonnes, showing a moderate year-over-year decline of 6.6%. The peak production was in 2019 at 12 013 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.9%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Latvia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork totaled 198 tonnes, a decrease of 23.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports dropped by 9.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 162 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 258 tonnes. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 25.9%, and the largest increase was in 2020 at 59.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Lithuania, Estonia, and the United Kingdom were the core destinations for Latvia's exports in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 38.6% of exports, Estonia for 24.3%, and the United Kingdom for 18.6%, together making up 81.5% 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

Latvia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork were valued at 1 952 thousand US dollars in 2021, a modest decrease of 3.4% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 6.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 650 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2020 at 2 021 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 10.0%, while the largest increase was in 2020 at 22.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania and Estonia remained the leading markets for Latvia's exports in value terms, together accounting for 81.2% of total flows, with other partners playing a smaller role.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Latvia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork increased in 2021. Imports reached 658 tonnes, reflecting a robust rise of 21.7% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 38.1%, with an average annual decline of 14.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 541 tonnes, and the largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 36.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Lithuania, Spain, and Poland were the main sources for Latvia's imports in volume terms. Lithuania contributed 26.4% of imports, Spain 23.1%, and Poland 16.3%, together representing 65.9% 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 drop, Latvia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork rose in 2021. The country imported approximately 5 697 thousand US dollars worth of these products, a robust increase of 20.6% from the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 4 723 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual decline was in 2019 at 10.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Italy, and Lithuania were the primary suppliers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork to Latvia in value terms. Spain accounted for 32.8% of imports, Italy for 21.8%, and Lithuania for 19.9%, together comprising 74.5% 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