Includes information on average tariff rates and types that U.S. firms should be aware of when exporting to the market.
Last Published: 2/28/2019

Overview

U.S. agricultural exports to Latvia reached upwards of $68 million in 2017, including indirect exports through third-country ports of entry in other EU member states.  The growth in U.S. exports has been driven by high-value and consumer ready products destined for the retail and hospitality sectors, as well as food ingredients destined for the food-processing sector.  Local demand for U.S. products is due in part to Latvia’s growing demand for convenience products, more openness to non-traditional foods, and an interest in health foods and niche markets. The Office of Agricultural Affairs routinely receives inquiries from the local food importers seeking to expand their range of the U.S. food products.  Best U.S. prospects include distilled spirits and wines, tree nuts, fish and seafood, pet food, dried fruits and juices.The agricultural sector in Latvia accounts for only a small portion of GDP but employs eight percent of Latvia’s workforce. 

Agriculture is focused on cereals, potatoes, forage crops, and dairy production.  Rising farm sizes creates opportunities for U.S tractors and other machinery products.  Farmers’ groups, such as the Farmers Union, have expressed interest in U.S. equipment, farming technology, and consulting services.The Latvian Government is unfavorable toward biotechnology.  Although most food/feed safety and import control issues are handled at the EU level, local policies can negatively affect U.S. exports.  Nevertheless, Latvia offers good opportunities for many U.S. exports, with best market prospects as noted.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Note:  All figures are in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated. 
Data Source:  Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS).  The GATS does not track intra-EU transshipments.

Whiskey (Consumer Oriented Product)
Tree Nuts (Consumer Oriented Product)
Wine (Consumer Oriented Product)
Hardwood Lumber (Forest Product)
 
1. Whiskey (HS 220830)
Bourbon whiskey sourced from the United States is increasingly popular in Latvia, although the whiskey market is still dominated by UK imports.  Whiskey imported from the United States is also re-exported or transshipped to other Baltic States or outside the EU.
 
Commodity Group:        Whiskey 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s):    HS 220830 
Value in $1,000
Year                                   2015          2016                    2017        2018(f)
Total Imports                 109,254     106,766              196,666       200,000        
Total Imports from U.S.    1,567          2,490                  3,182           3,200


2. Tree Nuts (HS 0802)
U.S. tree nut exports consist primarily of almonds.  Almonds are becoming popular as an ingredient in the confectionary and snack industries, as well as consumers.  The leading U.S. competitor in Latvia is Spain (inclusive of transshipment arriving via Lithuania). 
 
Commodity Group:                Almonds
Harmonized Schedule Code(s):         HS 080212
Value in US$1,000
Year                                               2015    2016    2017     2018(f)
Total Imports                                3,283    2,185   2,726       4,000             
Total Imports from U.S.                   895       728      975      1,500
 
3. Wine (HS 2204)
Latvia is emerging as the gateway for wines into the three eastern Baltic markets.  Italy, France, Spain, and Germany are the leading suppliers, holding a combined market share of nearly 80 percent.  U.S. wines, together with other “new-world” wines, are developing an ever-expanding following among Latvians.
 
Commodity Group:                Wine
Harmonized Schedule Code(s):         HS2204
Value in US$1,000
Year                                         2015                2016                2017                 2018(f)
Total Imports                      145,236                       165,207                       226,565                       250,000
Total Imports from U.S.           963                  495                  424                        1,000
 
4.  Wood incl. Hardwood Lumber (HS 4409)
Latvia has one of the highest investment rates in Europe in wood and wood products and the most competitive labor force.  Within the subsector, wood construction has the highest investment rate.  The housing market is recovering, creating new opportunities for wood products (softwood and hardwood panels, etc.) in the local market.  Imports from U.S. varies from year to year.  The most important factors influencing buying decisions of the Latvian importers are logistics costs and currency volatility.
 
Commodity Group:                Forest products
Harmonized Schedule Code(s):         HS 4401-21
Value in US$1,000
Year                                        2015               2016                2017                 2018(f)
Total Imports                         399,056          444,774           187,161            200,000
Total Imports from U.S.        162     428      251       250      250
Web Resources

Attaché reports provide information on market opportunities, crop conditions, new policy developments and information on the local food industry. Some standard reports include: Retail Market Report, Exporter Guide, Food Service Report, and market briefs on select products.
Attaché reports can be found at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp.
In recent years, many of the reports have been consolidated and are submitted as EU reports. We recommend that companies interested in the market covered by our Post also review the EU-28 reports.

Trade Data:

Please refer to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS).  GATS includes international agricultural, fish, forest and textile products trade statistics dating from the inception of the Harmonized coding system in 1989 to present. 

Agricultural Standards

The establishment of harmonized EU rules and standards in the food sector has been ongoing for several decades, but it took until January 2002 for the publication of a general food law establishing the general principles of EU food law.  This Regulation introduced mandatory traceability throughout the feed and food chain as of Jan 1, 2005.  For specific information on agricultural standards, please refer to the Foreign Agricultural Service’s website at:   http://www.usda-eu.org.  There are also export guides to import regulations and standards available on the above Foreign Agricultural Service’s website.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.