In March, the value of exported goods rose by 6 %

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data show that in March 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 4.09 billion, and at current prices it was 8.9 % higher than a year ago. Value of exported goods increased by 6 % and of imported goods by 11.4 %. In March Latvia exported goods in the amount of EUR 1.85 billion, but imported – in the amount of EUR 2.24 billion.

As exports in the total foreign trade decreased from 46.4 % in March 2025 to 45.2 % in March 2026, foreign trade balance worsened.

Whereas, compared to February this year, the exports value went up by 19.1 % ,but the imports value – by 18.9 %.

During the first quarter of this year foreign trade turnover of Latvia at current prices reached EUR 10.85 billion – EUR 113.8 million or 1.1 % more than in the corresponding period of 2025. The exports value constituted EUR 4.97 billion (a drop of EUR 88 million or 1.7 %), whereas the imports value comprised EUR 5.87 billion (a rise of EUR 201.8 million or 3.6 %).

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.

Data on April, June, July, August and December 2025 have been revised.

Calendar and seasonally adjusted data show that, compared to March 2025, in March 2026 the exports value at current prices went up by 2.6 %, but the imports value – by 8.4 %, whereas, compared to the previous month, the exports value went up by 6.4 %, but the imports value – by 1.6 %.

Main changes in exports in March 2026, compared to March 2025:

• exports of prepared foodstuffs up by EUR 37.2 million or 23.9 %;
• exports of mineral products up by EUR 29 million or 14.9 %;
• exports of products of the chemical and allied industries up by EUR 26.7 million or 18 %;
• exports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment up by EUR 16.5 million or 6.4 %;
• exports of wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal down by EUR 22.7 million or 7.8 %.

Main changes in imports in March 2026, compared to March 2025:

• imports of mineral products up by EUR 123 million or 56.7 %;
• imports of products of the chemical and allied industries up by EUR 42.6 million or 17.1 %;
• imports of prepared foodstuffs up by EUR 18.6 million or 10.5 %;
• imports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment up by EUR 16.6 million or 4.3 %;
• imports of vehicles and associated transport equipment down by EUR 21.6 million or 9.3 %.

The main exports partners in March were Lithuania (18.5 % of total exports), Estonia (11.7 %), Germany (6.4 %) and Sweden (5.5 %), Lithuania (18.8 % of total Latvian imports), Germany (11.9 %), Poland (11 %) and Estonia (9.1 %) were the main import partners.

In March 2026, compared to March 2025, exports to the USA fell by 52.8 % and comprised EUR 31.2 million. The decrease was mainly affected by the drop in export of wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal of EUR 13.1 million or 75.8 %. Imports from the United States increased by 56.9 % and was valued at EUR 37.1 million. Rise in imports was mostly affected by the increase of EUR 17.2 million in imports of mineral products.

The rise in exports of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in March 2026, as compared to March 2025, was mostly facilitated by an increase in exports of spirits by EUR 14.3 million or 41 %. However, downturn in the exports of wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal was mostly caused by reduced export of wood pellets of EUR 17.4 million or 42.2 %.

Main commodities in Latvian exports in March 2026

(at current prices)

The rise in imports of mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation in March 2026, as compared to March 2025, was mostly facilitated by an increase in imports of motor gasoline by EUR 55.6 million. In turn, reduction in imports of vehicles and associated transport equipment was mostly affected by drop in imports of passenger cars by EUR 42.3 million or 30.8 %.

Main commodities in imports of Latvia in March 2026

(at current prices)

In March 2026 foreign trade balance of Latvia was positive with 125 partner countries, as exports value of goods exceeded imports value of goods, and foreign trade deficit in the trade with 44 partners.

In March 2026, compared to March 2025, share of the European Union countries in total exports value increased by 3.4 percentage points, but in total imports value – by 0.1 percentage point. The share of CIS countries rose by 1.3 percentage points in exports and fell by 0.6 percentage points in imports.

Foreign trade of Latvia in March 2026 by country group

(at current prices)

In March 2026, compared to March 2025, exports to Russia went up by 35.2 % and comprised EUR 99.7 million. The rise was mainly driven by the upturn in export of prepared foodstuffs (mainly of spirits) by 82.6 % or EUR 21.7 million. As compared to the previous month, exports to Russia increased by 22.7 %, which was also mainly affected by the upturn of EUR 7.5 million in export of spirits. In March 2026, compared to March 2025, imports from Russia decreased by 24.7 % and comprised EUR 3.9 million. The main cause of imports decline was import of the chemical and allied industries, which fell by EUR 1.2 million or 69.1 %. Compared to a month before, imports from Russia increased by 22.5 %, which was mainly affected by the increase of EUR 0.5 million in imports of prepared foodstuffs (mainly of preparations of a kind used in animal feed).

In March 2026, compared to March 2025, exports to Ukraine decreased by 26.7 % and comprised EUR 26.9 million. The downturn was mainly affected by the reduction of EUR 2 million or 44.4 % in exports of products of the chemical and allied industries. Imports from Ukraine fell by 24.8 % and was valued at EUR 17.6 million. The main cause of imports decline was also import of the chemical and allied industries, which fell by EUR 5.2 million or 79 %.

In March 2026, compared to March 2025, exports to Belarus increased by 19.2 % and comprised EUR 12.4 million. The upturn was mainly affected by the rise of EUR 4.6 million in exports of products of the chemical and allied industries. As compared to a month before, exports to Belarus increased by 46.5 %, it was also affected by increase of EUR 4.3 million in export of products of the chemical and allied industries. Imports from Belarus reduced by 54.6 % and was valued at EUR 2.9 million. Fall in imports from Belarus was mostly affected by the drop in import of products of animal or vegetable fats and oils by EUR 3.5 million. Compared to a month before, imports from Belarus increased by 83.2 %, it was mainly affected by the increase of EUR 0.8 million in import of base metals and articles of base metals.

Foreign trade of Latvia with Belarus, Russian Federation and Ukraine in March 2026

(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 March 2026 the value of these transactions comprised EUR 7 million or 0.4 % of total exports.

* As of 1 January 2026, Bulgaria has joined the euro area.

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