Value of exported goods rose by 1.4 % in May

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data show that in May 2025 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 3.48 billion, and at current prices it was 3.6 % higher than a year ago. Value of exported goods increased by 1.4 % and of imported goods by 5.6 %. The exported goods were valued at EUR 1.59 billion and imported goods at EUR 1.89 billion.

As exports in the total foreign trade decreased from 46.7 % in May 2024 to 45.7 % in May 2025, foreign trade balance worsened . Please note that the statistics for foreign trade in goods is presented at actual prices and calculated based on the goods value in euro, not the physical amount or quantity.

In the first five months of this year, Latvian foreign trade turnover at current prices reached EUR 17.73 billion, which is EUR 1 066.6 million or 6.4 % more than in the corresponding period of 2024. The exported goods were valued at EUR 8.28 billion (up by EUR 362.5 million or 4.6 %) and imported goods at EUR 9.45 billion (up by EUR 704.1 million or 8.1 %).

Data on April, May, June, December 2024 and February 2025 have been revised.

Calendar and seasonally adjusted year-on-year data show that the value of exported goods at current prices rose by 5.1 %, and that of imported goods by 8.2 %. Month-on-month data indicate a decrease of 2.2 % in the value of exports and of 1.3 % in the value of imports.

Main year-on-year changes in exports:

• exports of mineral products up by EUR 21.6 million or 18.5 %;
• exports of live animals and animal products up by EUR 20.1 million or 25.5 %;
• exports of vehicles and associated transport equipment up by EUR 19.3 million or 21.1 %;
• exports of vegetable products up by EUR 14.5 million or 21.4 %;
• exports of wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal down by EUR 31.3 million or 11.5 %.

Main year-on-year changes in imports:

• imports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment up by EUR 40.8 million or 12.1 %;
• imports of products of the chemical and allied industries up by EUR 39.2 million or 20.2 %;
• imports of vehicles and associated transport equipment up by EUR 15.8 million or 8.7 %;
• imports of live animals and animal products up by EUR 14.3 million or 19.7 %;
• imports of base metals and articles of base metals down by EUR 11.7 million or 8.9 %.

Lithuania remained the largest destination for goods exported from Latvia in May – with a share of 18.8 % – and Estonia came second with 10.8 %. Germany followed at some distance with 6.4 %, and Sweden with 5.9 %. Lithuania was also the leading trading partner for imports – with a share of 21.2 %. Germany followed with 12.5 %, Poland with 10.7 %, and Estonia with 9.3 %.

Year-on-year exports to the United States rose by 2.2 %, and was valued at EUR 56.2 million. The upturn was driven primarily by increased exports of mineral products, which rose by EUR 16.1 million. Imports from the United States increased by 38 % and was valued at EUR 27.9 million. The upturn was mainly due to increased imports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment, which rose by EUR 12.3 million.

Year-on-year data show that the rise in the exports of cereals was boosted by growing export of wheat and meslin, which went up by EUR 22.4 million. However, downturn in the exports of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages was caused by reduced export of spirits, which fell by EUR 6.3 million or 15.3 %.

Main exports by product, May 2025

(at current prices)

The year-on-year growth in the imports of pharmaceutical products was driven primarily by the increased import of put up medicines – of EUR 10.7 million or17.4 %. However, downturn in the imports of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages was caused by the decline in import of sparkling wines – of EUR 4.4 million or 62.6 %.

Main imports by product, May 2025

(at current prices)

In May 2025, Latvia had foreign trade surplus in the trade with 117 partners (that is, trade balance was positive as exports exceeded imports) and foreign trade deficit in the trade with 52 partners.

The year-on-year share of the European Union countries in the total value of exports decreased by 2.9 percentage points, but in the total value of imports increased by 1.9 percentage points. The share of CIS countries reduced by 1.3 percentage points in exports and by 1.6 percentage points in imports.

Latvian foreign trade by country group, May 2025

(at current prices)

Year-on-year comparison indicates a 15.6 % reduction in the exports to Russia, which was valued at EUR 74.1 million. The decline was mainly driven by the drop in export of prepared foodstuffs, which fell by EUR 9 million or 21.6 %. Imports from Russia fell by 76.5 % and was valued at EUR 7.4 million. Reduced supply of goods from Russia  was caused by reduced import of mineral products, which went down by EUR 13.9 million or 99.2 %.

Exports to Ukraine rose by 10 % and was valued at EUR 31.7 million. The increase was primarily because of the upturn in export of vehicles and associated transport equipment (up by EUR 10.7 million). Imports from Ukraine fell by 19.8 % and was valued at EUR 21.1 million. The main cause of this decline was import of the chemical and allied industries, which fell by EUR 3.4 million or 49.8 %.

Exports to Belarus decreased by 11.1 % and was valued at EUR 12.5 million. The drop was mainly affected by reduced export of plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof (down by EUR 1.1 million or 64 %). Imports from Belarus reduced by 57.9 % and was valued at EUR 6.9 million. The main cause for this reduction was import of plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof, which went down by EUR 1.7 million or 66.4 %.

Latvian foreign trade with Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, May 2025

(at current prices)

Additional statistics for Latvian foreign trade by month and quarter as well as by country group and product group is available in the official statistics portal section Foreign trade as well as exports and imports data analysis tool.

Methodological information:

Starting with the data on 2024, Latvian exports include businesses exporting goods from Latvia to third countries through other EU countries where they have filled in export customs declarations for the export of goods to third countries. In May 2025, the value of these transactions made up EUR 7.4 million, or 0.5 % of the total exports.

Media requests:
Public Relations Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on data:
Ieva Jansone
Foreign Trade Statistics Section
E-mail: Ieva.Jansone@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366721