Latvia’s retail sector has had no competition, especially in grocery trade, for years, Agriculture Minister Didzis Smits stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Smits asserted that retailers could set markups of 300% plus VAT on local produce and still compete, which he said was “abnormal” and “unpatriotic.” He insisted that in such…
Latvian consumers are worried the most about the rising prices of utilities, electricity, and food products, according to a Norstat poll for Luminor Bank, Baltic News Network reports. The survey showed that 29% of respondents were worried the most about heating and other utility costs, another 29% about electricity costs, and 24% about food prices….
Average consumer prices in Latvia rose by 7.9% in June 2023, compared to the same period of 2022, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau, LSM reports. The annual change in prices was mainly influenced by the rise in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages and of goods and services related to housing,…
Inflation continues to fall in Estonia, Rasmus Kattai, economist at the Bank of Estonia, said, BNS reports. Kattai said that the drop was mostly due to the fact that prices for energy and most agricultural commodities were coming down. However, he noted that it took time for the effect of the lower prices to pass…
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence has dismissed a third official implicated in a scandalous food procurement contract for the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), LETA reports. The official in question worked at the NBS. Earlier, the ministry dismissed Eriks Ezerins, head of the procurement commission, and Imants Freibergs, head of procurement and contracts at the NBS…
Estonia’s consumer price index (CPI) rose by 9.2% on year in June 2023, according to data from Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. The rise was mostly due to an increase in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which accounted for almost 50% of the total increase of the CPI. The average price of goods was…
Latvia’s opposition Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) is planning to request the dismissal of Agriculture Minister Didzis Šmits, Baltic News Network reports. ZZS press secretary Dace Karklina said that the party supported the position of the Latvian Farmers Union (LZS) that the minister’s inaction and failure to set limits had resulted in uncontrollable increases…
The Latvian agrarian political party, Latvian Farmers Union (LZS), has decided to ask the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) to decide on requesting the dismissal of Agriculture Minister Didzis Šmits (United List), Baltic News Network reports. ZZS will be meeting to discuss the request on 4 July 2023. LZS accused Šmits of “inaction” amid…
The Latvian government has approved amendments to requirements on green public procurement, aiming to provide more opportunities for local producers, Baltic News Network reports. The updated criteria cover various categories such as food and catering, indoor and street lighting, construction, transport, and road construction and maintenance. The amendments will enable municipal and state institutions to…