Latvia in the world and in the EU
Latvia is a minor producer of aquaculture products. As for fishery production, in 2023 it ranked 16th among EU producing countries.
| (1.000 tonnes) | World | EU-27 | Latvia | % world | % EU-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catches | 91.681 | 3.555 | 66,8 | 0,067% | 1,88% |
| Aquaculture | 136.140 | 1.043 | 0,2 | 0,001% | 0,02% |
| Total | 227.821 | 4.598 | 67,0 | 0,028% | 1,46% |
Fishing fleet
| Vessels (2024) | Capacity (2024) | Power (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number: 659 | GT: 21.727 | KW: 38.592 | |
| TOTAL FTE: 190 (2023, source: JRC) | |||
| 0-11 m | 12-23 m | 24-39 m | >40 m |
| Jobs (FTE): 29% | Jobs (FTE): 18% | Jobs (FTE): 52% | Jobs (FTE): 0% |
Landings
Landings comprise the initial unloading of any fisheries products from on board a fishing vessel in a given Member State. They include aquatic plants and species not destined for human consumption. Landings are recorded in net weight and value, and concern landings made by vessels from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and the UK.
In 2023, landings in Latvia only include fresh whole/gutted products destined for human consumption.
There are 13 fishing ports registered in the country (source: EU Master Data Register, 03 December 2025).
Main commercial species landed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes
Aquaculture
Aquaculture consists in the farming of aquatic (fresh or saltwater) organisms, such as fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquaculture data are reported in live weight equivalent and value.
Aquaculture activity in Latvia is limited to freshwater farming in ponds, tanks and raceways and recirculation systems for which no details are available.
Main commercial species farmed and % of total
2023, million euros (nominal value) and 1.000 tonnes
Producer organisations
Source: European Commission, List of the recognised producer organisations in the fishery and aquaculture sector
In Latvia, 3 producer organisations (POs) are formally recognized, all operating in the fishery sector. Their role is to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and of the Common organisation of the markets (CMO) through the collective management of their members' activities.
First sales
First sales concern the fish that is sold or registered at an auction center or to registered buyers or to producer organizations (PO). First sales may differ from landings since the former do not cover fish that is landed by vessels owned by processing companies or direct sales to processors.
There are no auction markets in Latvia. In 2025, total first sales in Latvian places of sale amounted to 39.432 tonnes and 16 million euros.
The top-3 places of sale covered 80% and 84% of total first sales, respectively in volume and value terms.
| Top-3 places of sale | Volume (tonnes) | Value (million euros) | Top-3 main commercial species (in value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventspils | 12.840 | 7 | Sprat (=brisling), herring, other marine fish |
| Roja | 14.996 | 4 | Herring, sprat (=brisling), other marine fish |
| Liepaja | 3.853 | 2 | Sprat (=brisling), herring, other freshwater fish |
Processing
According to Eurostat-SBS, 2.568 persons were employed in the Latvian fish processing industry in 2023. The sector recorded a value added of 62 million euros, covering 12% of the value added of total manufacture of food products.
In 2024, the main products sold were “Frozen whole salt water fish” and “Prepared or preserved herrings, whole or in pieces (excluding minced products and prepared meals and dishes)” (source: Eurostat-PRODCOM).
101 companies
Net turnover: 324
million euros
(2024, source: Eurostat - SBS)
Distribution
The supply chain of fisheries and aquaculture products in Latvia (source: Eurofish):
Import
Main commercial species imported
and % of total imports
2024, million euros (nominal value)
Export
Main commercial species exported
and % of total exports
2024, million euros (nominal value)
Consumption
In 2023, apparent consumption was estimated at 21,63 kg per capita, a considerable 36% increase compared with 2022. The most consumed species were sprat and herring (source: EUMOFA).
21,63 kg
per capita in live
weight equivalent
(2023, source: Latvia University of Life Science and
Technology and Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia)
The country in EUMOFA
| Landings | Aquaculture |
Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – Fishery. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. | Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – Fishery and integrated with FAO data. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. |
| First sales | Wholesale |
Volumes and values are collected from the Ministry of Agriculture (Fisheries Department) on a weekly and monthly basis. Weekly data is monitored for a selection of 7 main commercial species and 4 places of sale. Monthly data cover all species sold in the Latvian places of sale. Both weekly and monthly data are accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. As for monthly first sales, data at disaggregated level are also accessible, through dashboards and the bulk download facility. | No data available |
| Import - Export | Processing |
Volumes and values are collected from Eurostat – COMEXT. Data concern trade flows of all fisheries and aquaculture products as recorded by national customs. They are available on a monthly and yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. | Data are collected from Eurostat – PRODCOM. They concern ex-farm quantities and values of fisheries and aquaculture products sold in the country after being transformed from raw material into final products. They are available on a yearly basis and accessible through dashboards, as well as through the bulk download facility. |
| Consumption | |
| Retail prices are collected on a monthly basis from the Ministry of Agriculture (Fisheries Department). |
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