Estonia’s raw milk production per dairy cow rose by 5% in 2023 from the year before, which was the highest increase in 31 years, according to a report from the European Commission, ERR reports. In terms of milk production per cow, Estonian farms are second only to Denmark in the EU, Tanel-Taavi Bulitko, CEO of…
Around 2,000 farmers protested across Latvia against the government’s agriculture policies on 5 February 2024, according to the Farmers’ Parliament (ZSA), LSM reported. Police said that the protests passed peacefully with no significant incidents, LETA reported. Farmers staged rallies with agricultural machinery in altogether 16 cities, calling for a ban on imports of Russian and…
Latvian farmers will begin holding protests across the country on 5 February 2024, the Farmers’ Parliament (ZSA) announced, LSM reports. ZSA chairman Juris Lazdins said that the composition of the current government was “particularly distinguished by its arrogance and indifference.” The organisation has submitted its demands to Prime Minister Evika Silina and Agriculture Minister Armands…
Estonia’s retail turnover totalled EUR 10.5bn in 2023, which was down 8% at constant prices compared to 2022, according to preliminary data from Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. The retail turnover of grocery stores declined by 4%, automotive fuel by 5%, and manufactured goods by 11% over a year.
Latvia’s total retail trade turnover decreased by 2.1% over a year in 2023, according to the Central Statistical Bureau’s (CSP) calendar-adjusted data at constant prices, LSM reported. Retail sales of food products went down by 3.5% and non-food products (except for automotive fuel) by 2.3%, while retail sales of automotive fuel went up by 1.3%.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics backed a unilateral ban on Russian grain imports without waiting for a joint EU decision, LETA reported. Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina, Rinkevics pointed out that some of the Russian grain was stolen from occupied Ukrainian territory and that Russia was using food as a “hybrid weapon.”…
Hong Kong-based investment firm PAG Private Equity will acquire full control of Latvia’s Food Union Group, which produces ice cream and other frozen foods, LSM reports. PAG expects to complete the transaction in the first quarter of 2024. Food Union will continue under present management and business structure. PAG has been an investor in Food…
Food prices in Latvia will grow by less than 4% in 2024, Ieva Opmane, economist at the Bank of Latvia, forecast, LSM reports. The price hike will be higher than average inflation but much less than in 2023 and 2022, she said. The rise in food prices will depend on consumer income, energy prices, harvests,…
Estonia’s consumer price index (CPI) rose by 9.2% in 2023, compared to the year before, according to Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. The rise of food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for almost two fifths of the overall rise in consumer prices. Meanwhile, petrol prices dropped by 7.4% and diesel fuel prices by 10.7% over a year….