Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast and shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west. Latvia covers an area of 64,573 km2 (24,932 sq mi), with a population of 1.83 million. The country has a temperate seasonal climate. Its capital and largest city is Riga. Latvians, who are the titular nation and comprise 65.5% of the country's population, belong to the ethnolinguistic group of the Balts and speak Latvian. Russians are the most prominent minority in the country, at almost a quarter of the population; 37.7% of the population speak Russian as their native tongue.
Source: tolatvia.com
Riga, Baltic nature & authentic city life
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In preparation for Latvia's next presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2028, dozens of extra posts at diplomatic missions are planned.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže is in Sweden on August 26th for a working visit.
Latvia's government on Tuesday, 25th August added various items to the list of banned imports from aggressor states Russia and Belarus.
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, is currently in New York, in the United States of America (USA), to participate in high-level meetings of the UN Security Council during the Danish presidency.
During a working visit to Kyiv, on August 24th Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) was presented with a Ukrainian state award – the Order of Merit, 1st degree – by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as a token of gratitude for Latvia's significant support to Ukraine.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) was playing host to his Lithuanian counterpart Mindaugas Sinkevičius on Thursday, August 20th for talks and what was supoosed to be a joint visit to the Belarusian border.
Today, on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence, President of the Riigikogu (parliament) of Estonia Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Juozas Olekas issued a Joint Statement in Tallinn, in which they reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine and emphasise the need for active cooperation in pursuing initiatives to strengthen the eastern border, counter disinformation campaigns, and address migratory pressure.
Significant progress has been made in the construction of infrastructure along the Latvian–Belarusian border, but there are serious problems with human resources – this was the conclusion reached by President Edgars Rinkēvičs during a visit to Piedruja, a village on the border with Belarus, on August 18.
On August 17th Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs made another one of his regular visits to the country's eastern border.
With increasing in wages and higher personal income tax revenues, local government budgets should be showing higher revenues, reports Latvian Radio. However, councils claim that they will only learn about any budget overrun at the end of the year, because their agreement with the government stipulates that the state helps local governments if taxes do not meet targets, but overruns are dealt with later.
On 11th August, Latvia and several other countries joined a joint statement initiated by the United States of America (USA) on ballistic missile launch notifications, in which countries are encouraged to participate in mechanisms such as the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, which provides for advance notification of ballistic missile launches.
The text of a letter from Latvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava (National Alliance) to his Spanish counterpart Fernando Grande-Marlaska – which reportedly was not well received in Madrid – has been published.
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) will launch an investigation into whether the activities last Friday of representatives of the United List (AS) party alliance, including Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, complied with the requirements of the Pre-election Campaign Law, the bureau told the LETA news agency.
The government-established Bureaucracy Reduction Action Group (BRAG) has created its fourth basket of proposals for reducing the administrative burden, reported Latvian Radio on August 6th.
The State Chancellery has announced a repeat competition for the post of director of the institution, this time significantly lowering the criteria, according to an announcement in the official publication Latvijas Vēstnesis on August 7.
Taking into account widespread public concern over the amount of housing and transportation compensation available to Saeima members, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) will not only examine the validity of the housing compensation received by Saeima member Leila Rasima (Progressives), but will also assess other cases in which the members' declared place of residence or other circumstances may raise doubts, KNAB has confirmed to Latvian Radio.
A meeting between Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was not a constructive dialogue, according to representatives of the organisations. The government will continue to criticise NGO funding.
Latvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava (National Alliance) appears to have annoyed key EU and NATO partner Spain, reports Latvian Television.
On 4th August, the Latvian cabinet approved what it dubbed the country's "national position" with regard to aggressor states Russia and Belarus.
A repeat competition will be required for the position of Director of the State Chancellery, Elīna Šverna, communications advisor to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List), told the LETA newswire.
Does each meeting between the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) really cost 18,000 euros, as Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs claims? The Re:Check fact-checking strand investigates.
With just two months until the next parliamentary elections in Latvia, political parties will be examing the latest poll conducted by SKDS from July 10 to 15 on behalf of Latvian Television with keen interest.
Jānis Sārts, the director of the Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) said in an interview with Latvian Radio on July 31st that Latvia's upcoming parliamentary elections could face various challenges and attempts to influence and disrupt them, with threats including drone incursions, cyberattacks and the use of malicious Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In the pre-election period it is perhaps not surprising that many politicians are trying to polish their credentials as money-managers, calling for controlled spending, probes in NGO funding, a review of scientific research costs and various other fiscal discipline measures.
As previously reported, the building of the Latvian Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk was severely damaged in a Russian airstrike on July 24th. Now The "Entrepreneurs for Peace" Foundation, in cooperation with journalist Ieva Vārna, is launching a fundraising campaign to help Honorary Consul Oleksandr Pavenko equip new premises for the Latvian representation in the Donetsk region.
On Friday, July 24th, Russia carried out an airstrike on the city of Sloviansk in Ukraine's Donetsk region, which destroyed the building of the Latvian honorary consulate.
A fairly prominent candidate who was due to stand in the upcoming Latvian parliamentary elections has had his candidacy cancelled over his criminal record, reports the LETA newswire.
Starting today, July 23rd, voting at Saeima sessions is using a new electronic voting system, which replaces the outdated – but impressively still functional – voting machines that have been in use since 1997.
The right to vote is a fundamental right of a citizen in a democratic country. However, exercising this right is not always so easy for people with disabilities.
With a little over two months to go until the next parliamentary electionson October 3rd, the Cabinet of Ministers approved its action plan of the government led by Andris Kulbergs on Tuesday, July 21st – in effect rubber stamping its own plan two months after it came to power.
Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, has returned from a large-scale meeting in Washington, D.C., called by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the title of which was 'The Resurgence of Political Terrorism'.
Rēzekne City Council has approved changes to the auction rules for the lease rights of a spa complex [routinely rendered in Latvian as 'SPA' for reasons which remain opaque] at its July 17th meeting in a bid to get the enormous white elephant off its hands.
In the 15th Saeima elections, which are due to take place on October 3rd, there are fewer candidates standing in the eastern Latgale region than four years ago, and around one in four of those that are standing don't even live in the region.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs continues his two-day visit to Lithuania on July 16th, as previously reported.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže is in Washington, D.C. on July 15th and 16th "to attend a conference of foreign ministers hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio," according to a brief release by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Just a couple of weeks after heading north to visit Estonia, on July 15th President Edgars Rinkēvičs is heading south to visit Latvia's southern neighbour and fellow Baltic state, Lithuania.
On Monday, July 13th, Minister of Defense Raivis Melnis met with Latvia's honorary consuls in Ukraine to present them with awards.
Russia, a country that is a serial offender with scant regard for rule of law, nevertheless intends to use international courts to drag the Baltic states through various inconvenient and costly legal processes, according to a new report by the Re:Baltica investigative journalism portal.
From 13th to 15th July 2026, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the 12th Meeting of Latvian Honorary Consuls to provide updates on current issues in Latvian foreign policy, key security policy matters and opportunities for bilateral economic and cultural cooperation.
Diplomats from the Baltic states on Friday strongly rejected disinformation efforts of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
The Central Election Commission (CVK) decided on Thursday to remove Jurijs Jesipenko from the list of candidates for the 15th Saeima election in the Rīga electoral district submitted by the political party alliance “Harmony Centre,” the CVK told the LETA news agency.
The government of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) has fully completed three of a total of 61 priority tasks within a month, he announced at a press conference after a meeting to discuss the government's actions so far.
Rīga mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) defeated an attempt to force his resignation on Wednesday.
In highly unoriginal comments, Russian Foreign Ministry officials have said that the Baltic states are "playing with fire" by opening up their territory for "hostile actions" against Russia.
Four candidates for the 15th Saeima have indicated in their questionnaires published by the Central Election Commission (CVK) that they have collaborated with the security services, intelligence services, or counterintelligence services of the USSR, the Latvian SSR, or a foreign country, according to an analysis of candidate data conducted by LETA.
On Monday, July 6, the Saeima held a lottery to assign numbers to the lists of registered candidates for the 15th Saeima elections scheduled for October.
The pool of candidates registered for the 15th Saeima elections is smaller, older, and, based on formal education indicators, better educated than in previous Saeima elections, according to an analysis of Central Election Commission (CEC) data conducted by LETA.
As part of the State Visit of the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, to Estonia, the Latvia–Estonia Business Forum “Stronger Together” took place on 2nd July, at the National Library of Estonia in Tallinn, reports Labs of Latvia.
With exactly three months until Latvia holds parliamentary elections, political parties are jostling for position, according to the latest voter polling carried out for SKDS on behalf of Latvian Television.
The first signs of a breach in the system at AS "Latvijas Valsts meži" (LVM) cyberattack were detected as early as June 11, when suspicious activity was identified, while the actual malicious activities took place on the night of June 22–23, said Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) on July 2.
Latvian volunteer soldier Vitālijs Šampiņš, nicknamed "Vilks" ("Wolf"), has been killed on the Kharkiv front in Ukraine, Latvian Television reports.
On Tuesday, the Latvian government approved the procedures for organising blended learning, stipulating that remote or online learning may account for between 5 and 20 per cent of teaching hours, LETA reports.
On Tuesday, August 25, two fatal accidents involving tractors took place in Latvia, the State Police (VP) told the LETA news agency. A minor was killed in one of them.
The storm over the weekend also damaged the infrastructure of the Ministry of the Interior’s services, including the border guard. The State Border Guard reports that falling trees have damaged the fence erected along the country’s eastern border, and several buildings and facilities have also been affected, Latvian Radio reported on August 25.
A delegation of Latvian defence and dual-use technology companies is heading to Paris, France, for a trade mission during European Defence Week 2026 from November 2–6, 2026, reports the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA).
At its meeting on August 25th, the Latvian government approved using what is effectively a VAT rebate on its existing plan to send diesel generators to Ukraine in order to buy more units.
Due to high demand, 5.85 million euros have been allocated from contingency funds to provide hospice care for adult patients at their places of residence from August to November this year. This is provided for in a draft order prepared by the Welfare Ministry, which was supported by the government on Tuesday.
Last week, officials from the Latgale Regional Department of the State Police initiated two criminal proceedings for desecration of a state symbol, a police release said on August 25th.
As of Tuesday morning, about 31,000 customers were still without power as a result of the weekend storm that struck Latvia.
More than 250 trees have been uprooted or snapped in Rīga’s gardens, parks and green spaces, according to Rīga Forests Ltd. Clearing up the damage caused by the storm in all of Rīga’s forests could take more than a month, the company said on August 24.
From September 2 to October 8, the comprehensive national defense exercise "Namejs 2026" organized by the National Armed Forces will take place throughout Latvia.
This summer has been both warm enough and damp, yet there is little variety of mushrooms in the woods. It is difficult to explain why this is the case, but it is possible that, following the recent rainfall, the ground is already too wet for them, expert mycologists told Latvian Radio on 24 August.
On Monday, August 24, 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers announced an open competition for the position of Head of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), Latvia's dedicated anti-graft agency.
Some members of the public could have been better prepared for the aftermath of the storm, said Arvis Zīle, Head of the Crisis Management Centre, in an interview with Latvian Radio on Monday, August 24.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia invites everyone to join in a minute’s silence on Ukraine’s Independence Day, Monday 24 August at 9.00 am, in memory of the Ukrainians and Latvians who have fallen in the war in Ukraine.
Following the storms at the weekend, by 6.00 pm on Monday 24 August, power had been restored to 190,000 customers – or 70 per cent of those whose power supply had been cut off due to the storms, according to information compiled by distributor “Sadales tīkls”. On Monday morning, around 87,000 customers were still without power.
On Friday, August 21st two Turkish F-16 fighter jets paid a visit to Latvia's the National Armed Forces (NBS) airbase at Lielvārde.
More than a thousand people have contacted the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) to ask whether their data was affected by the recent large-scale cyberattack.
One of the largest illegal cigarette production facilities in Latvia to date has been uncovered and shut down in Rīga, according to the Tax and Customs Police.
In Riga, on Krišjāņa Barona Street, an alarm siren will be sounded briefly sometime between 12:30 and 14:30 on Friday, said the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).
We are sorting waste more and more, but a lot of things that shouldn't be there still end up in our household waste – biowaste, packaging, glass and other recyclable materials. This not only increases the volume of waste and bills, but also damages some of the material that could still be used for recycling instead of being dumped in a landfill, reports Latvian Radio.
Latvian border guards said on August 21st they have uncovered another tunnel on the Latvia-Belarus border and arrested a large number of illegal crossers in the process.
To raise funds for medical and psychological support for Ukrainian soldiers, Latvian Public Media (LSM), in collaboration with the charity organisation ‘ziedot.lv’, is continuing its fundraising campaign ‘In thought and deed, together with Ukraine!’. So far, 30,368 euros have been raised.
Latvia's National Armed Forces (NBS) confirmed on August 20th that the military drone that was shot down in Balvi district on August 14 was a Ukrainian one.
Fraudulent text messages claiming that a new message has been received via e-address are circulating, the State Agency for Digital Development (VDAA) warned the public on August 20.
Officers from the South Vidzeme Precinct of the State Police arrested a quadricycle driver after a chase in Cēsis municipality, after he ignored officers' order to stop and tried to flee. As if that wasn't bad enough, he was also drunk, had no helmet, and also had a young child on the quad bike with him.
From the new year, the State Education Development Agency will no longer organize state language proficiency exams for adults: this responsibility will be taken over by the Latvian Language Agency, reports Latvian Radio
Three people have been arrested in Latvia on suspicion of setting fire to the building of the defence industry company ‘Milrem Robotics’ in Tallinn, reports the Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
The State Police claimed on August 19 that they have foiled a plan organised from within prison to rob and severely beat a man, the police have reported.
On Tuesday, August 18th, in Krāslava district, soldiers of the National Armed Forces detained someone who was transporting persons who had illegally crossed the state border, according to releases from the State Border Guard and the government.
In one month's time a 10th Happiness Tree Park will be opened as part of the World Cleanup Day, which will take place in approximately 200 countries on September 20th, including Latvia.
Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the National Guard (Zemessardze), the National Guard has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union (Lietuvos šaulių sąjunga) to strengthen cooperation and exchange of experience between the two organizations.
On 14 August this year, the State Security Service (VDD) urged the Public Prosecutor’s Office to initiate criminal proceedings against a Latvian citizen for the prolonged and systematic glorification and justification of the war waged by Russia in Ukraine, inciting hatred against Ukrainians, as well as the unauthorised possession of a high-powered air gun and explosives.
On Tuesday, August 18th, the Cabinet of Ministers supported amendments to the National Security Law proposed by the Ministry of Defence, which provide for granting the National Armed Forces the temporary right to use land owned by private individuals, if it is deemed necessary for national defence.
The head of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), Aivars Aksenoks, is preparing to resign from his position after the investigation into the cyberattack that the CSDD experienced in early August is completed, Aksenoks announced in an interview with Latvian Television's "Morning Panorama" on August 19th.
Two women, having fallen for advertisements posted on the social networking site ‘Facebook’ which purported to offer the services of psychics, transferred a total of more than 150,000 euros to the fraudsters, the State Police reported on August 18.
The Latvian government decided on Tuesday, August 18, that larger trees will be allowed to be cut down outside forests than were previously allowed to be felled.
The Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) reported on August 18 that personal data relating to 1.2 million people was obtained in a cyberattack. Latvia's total population is a little over 1.8 million, so as a proportion of the population, the breach is enormous.
The Latvian State Police has completed an investigation into the actions of sworn attorney Inese Šulte and another private individual, requesting that both be charged with attemtping to influence a suspect, the LETA newswire reports.
New data published by Eurostat shows levels of public spending on education across the European Union – and reveals that Latvia spends less than the majority of its EU peers on this crucial investment in the future.
On Tuesday morning, August 18, the Ķekava Municipal Police detained four migrants on the Rīga bypass between the Daugmale roundabout and the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station and handed them over to the State Border Guard, the municipal police said.
The organizers of the Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2025 competition – the Latvian Builders' Association and the Latvian Union of Civil Engineers – are inviting the public to vote for the buildings submitted for the competition and put into operation in 2025, which are of the most benefit to society.
Combine harvesters are active in the grain fields of Vidzeme right now as they seek to get their grain into storage during dry conditions. Farmers assess this year as successful in terms of harvest, despite increases in the price of mineral fertilizers and fuel, and some rains early in the season.
On August 17th, the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) said that a week earlier it had asked the Prosecution Office to initiate criminal prosecution against a Latvian 'non-citizen' for expressing support towards ideas directed against the territorial integrity of Latvia.
The body of a diver who went missing in mid-July has been found in the sea off Roja, the State Police (VP) reported on Monday, 17 August.
On Monday, August 17, Swedbank customers have again received targeted emails from scammers, Swedbank said in a statement.
The drone shot down in the Balvi region on Friday flew into Latvian airspace from Belarus, Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said in an interview on Latvian Television on Monday morning.
Since the start of Operation ‘Vilkatis’ (Werewolf), which aims to increase monitoring of the movement of illegal migrants and their smugglers along the country’s border, no one has been detained, Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said in an interview with Latvian Radio and Latvian Television on Monday morning.
Earlier this summer, the Latvian State Forests (LVM) IT systems suffered a cyber attack. It happened through a vulnerability that hadn't been updated in two years, although LVM had been notified of it, Latvian Television's De Facto reports on August 16.
To mark Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August, Latvian Public Media (LSM), in collaboration with “Ziedot.lv”, is organising a fundraising campaign from Monday, 17 August, until 13 September, to provide Ukrainian soldiers with comprehensive rehabilitation.
On Tuesday, August 25th, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a protocol decision prepared by the Ministry of Finance on a general review of public procurement practices.
After the storm that ravaged Latvia over the weekend, as of the evening of August 25, power had been restored to the high-voltage lines; work is now underway on the medium- and low-voltage lines, where the cables have been torn by the wind and the electricity pylons have been toppled. Latvian Television travelled to the Jēkabpils area to find out how the restoration of the power lines is progressing.
The losses reported to insurers following the weekend storm are still in their early stages. On Monday, insurers received around 1,000 applications, and the total compensation amounts to be paid out will likely be in the millions of euros, said Jānis Abāšins, president of the Latvian Insurers Association, in an interview with Latvian Radio.
The reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) rate for certain food products, which came into effect on July 1, has been noticed by only 40% of the population, according to a survey by the research company "Norstat" commissioned by LSM.lv.
According to the Central Statistical Bureau data published on August 19, in Q2 2026 the number of non-resident and resident arrivals at Latvian tourist accommodation establishments comprised 750.0 thousand, which is an increase of 1.2 % compared with Q2 2025.
By 2030, it is planned to build 732 affordable rental homes in Rīga – in the Pļavnieki, Ziepniekkalns, and Bolderāja disctricts, according to the agency State Real Estate (Valsts nekustamie īpašumi, VNĪ).
From Wednesday, 18 August, the ban on consumer credit advertising has been lifted, whilst strict requirements have been imposed on the content of such adverts, Latvian Radio reported on August 19.
The Latvian central bank, Latvijas Banka (LB) has published its annual Financial Stability Report in English. A report has been published every year since 2003 "to raise public awareness regarding the development of the Latvian financial system and to draw attention to systemic risks."
At the end of last week, Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis (United List) met with Bank of Latvia (LB) Governor Mārtiņš Kazāks to discuss possible cooperation between the Ministry of Finance (FM) and the LB in preparation for the next European Union (EU) funds planning period 2028-2034.
In 2025, mean monthly household consumption expenditure per household member amounted to 619 euros, according to Central Statistical Bureau data published on August 17.
The price of bonds issued by Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, has fallen by 42.1 per cent since Monday, 10 August – to 16,500 euros per bond, according to information from Deutsche Börse.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data published on August 11 show that in June 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 3.87 billion, and at current prices it was 16 % higher than a year ago.
To encourage timely payment of administrative fines, the Ministry of Justice is proposing changes where in certain cases, the fine would be reduced if paid on time, the Ministry announced on August 11.
Potato harvest this year is likely to be better than last year, and potato prices are lower – good news for buyers, not so good for sellers, Latvian Radio reported on August 12.
The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), published on August 11, show that, compared to July 2025, in July 2026 the average level of consumer prices increased by 2.6 %.
The energy infrastructure company SIA ‘Enersense’ is to build a 100-megawatt (MW) capacity, 200-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) park in Grobiņa parish, the company announced on August 10.
Enjoy the warm weather while you can, because heating bills could rise by up to 20% from the Autumn.
Three Latvian pellet producers, by signing a memorandum, have committed to prioritising the supply of their production to the local market, according to the Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM) statement on August 6.
During these August days, farmers are making the most of every sunny moment to harvest their grain. Farmers are pleased that most of the grain they have grown – at least under the current conditions – is of a higher quality, and many have managed to harvest food-grade wheat, Latvian Radio reported on August 6.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) published on August 4th show that in June 2026 industrial production output in Latvia increased by 0.5 % year on year.
In the South Kurzeme region and in Liepāja, household waste collection charges are set to rise twice this year, Latvian Radio reported on August 4.
The state-owned company AS ‘Sadales tīkls’ (ST) will build two new substations in Saulkrasti and Saldus, as well as modernise the existing infrastructure in Salacgrīva, thereby enabling new electricity producers and consumers to be connected to the grid, the company announced on July 30.
The poultry farming company AS ‘Balticovo’ has invested more than two million euros in a staff apartment block project in Iecava, the company announced on July 29.
Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) and published on July 29th show that, compared to June 2025, in June 2026 Latvia's total retail trade turnover rose by 4.8 %.
Just one day before the event, the concert by American musician Pitbull in Mežaparks has been cancelled. The hospitality sector is also already facing cancellations of bookings, whilst the Consumer Rights Protection Centre will be monitoring the situation to ensure that consumer rights are upheld, namely that the money spent on tickets is refunded, Latvan Radio reported on July 29.
The restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages, introduced a year ago, have not significantly reduced alcohol purchases, but have changed shoppers’ buying habits, with people adjusting the times at which they shop, according to retailers surveyed by the LETA news agency on July 29.
For the most part, Latvia has good potential for a grain harvest this year, although in many places the rain is currently delaying the harvest. The situation is better in Zemgale, Latgale and Vidzeme, but farmers in Kurzeme are currently facing the greatest difficulties, where the rainfall has also washed out roads in many places, Latvian Radio reported on July 28.
Until recently here were 12 "Mere" stores in Latvia, in Rīga, Liepāja, Tukums, Jēkabpils and other cities, but now they have been closed because one of Mere's owners - Russian businessman Sergey Schneider - is included in the European Union (EU) sanctions list.
In 2023, about 43% of EU farms reported having internet access. Some northern and central European countries such as Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, Czechia, and Austria, had rates above 90%, according to Eurostat data published on July 24th.
Following a devastating outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) at the beginning of this year, SIA "Vaiņodes bekons" has gradually resumed operations at its pig farm.
In order to promote fair cooperation between agricultural and food suppliers and retailers, the Saeima on Thursday, July 23rd, supported amendments to the Unfair Trade Practices Prohibition Law in its final reading. The changes were approved by 81 votes to 0.
While Latvia may not have one of the largest economies in the European Union, it does at least still have the benefit of relatively low levels of public debt.
The Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) has received a total of 4,116 applications in the first six months of 2026, which is 50.7% more than in the corresponding period last year, when 2,732 applications were received, it said in a release on July 20th.
The Latvian central bank, Latvijas banka (LB) published its latest Macroeconomic Projections Report online in English on July 16th.
The Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) has concluded that recently-introduced changes to value added tax (VAT, or PVN in Latvian) rates on four food product groups (eggs, milk, fresh poultry meat and bread), have in general been applied fairly by retailers.
Central Statistical Bureau provisional data show that in May 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of 3.86 billion euro, and at current prices it was 8.4 % higher than a year ago.
A loud noise, reminiscent of thunder, shook the Karosta neighbourhood in Liepāja on Wednesday evening. Although strong winds were battering the city in Kurzeme, the cause this time was different: during equipment testing at the Rapsoil wind farm, the blade of one turbine snapped and fell. The rotor is located on the outskirts of the city; no one was injured, TV Kurzeme reports.
The Ministry of Finance (FM) has updated its indicative medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal forecasts, taking into account the latest economic trends and the geopolitical situation. The forecasts indicate slower economic growth and higher inflation than projected in February of this year, the FM reported.
Work that used to take several hours in some places can now be completed in a matter of minutes. The electricity distribution network "Sadales tīkls" is increasingly using drones to inspect power lines, Latvian Television reported on July 8.
Starting next year, the tourist tax applicable in Rīga will increase. This was decided by city councillors on Wednesday, July 8th.
Central Statistical Bureau data published on July 8 show that in June 2026, compared with May 2026, the average level of consumer prices remained unchanged.
Latvia may have its attractions all year round, but as far as tourists are concerned, July and August are the months when they most want to visit, according to data published by Eurostat on July 7th.
A building inspector surveyed the collapsed structures of the future store in Zolitūde on Monday, and in mid-July, the causes will be known, Latvian Television reported July 6.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data at constant prices published on July 6 show that in May 2026, Latvia's industrial production output increased by 6.2 % year on year.
In 2025, house sales in the EU increased in most countries for which data are available – including Latvia – compared with 2024, according to latest Eurostat data.
In the first quarter of 2026, house prices, as measured by the House Price Index, increased by 4.7% in the euro area and by 5.1% in the EU compared with the same quarter of the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 2025, house prices increased by 5.1% and 5.4% in the euro area and EU, respectively. These figures come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union and were published on July 2nd.
Starting July 1, 2026, the value-added tax (VAT) rate on certain common food products will be reduced from 21% to 12%. The reduced VAT rate will apply to four basic food product groups: bread, milk, poultry, and eggs. The reduced rate will be in effect for one year until June 30, 2027.
According to Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data published on June 30th, retail trade turnover in May 2026 was 3.3 % higher than a year ago (calendar adjusted data at constant prices) in Latvia.
The board of Rīga's municipal real estate manager “Rīgas nami” has resigned due to the crisis at the meat pavilion of Riga Central Market, the LETA news agency reported on June 29.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has drafted amendments to the Law on Support for Ukrainian Civilians, providing for a ban on the import of certain industrial goods originating in Russia and Belarus.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will become sunnier and drier over the next few days.
At the height of the storm that batters Latvia this weekend, on Sunday morning, the electricity supply was disrupted for around 277,000 households, according to power distributor “Sadales tīkls”. At around 16:30, some of the faults had been rectified and power supply was disrupted for around 191,000 customers.
A large storm which hit Latvia for much of Saturday continues on Sunday morning, with the power supply to approximately 277,000 households disrupted according to network operator Sadales tīkls.
A severe storm is expected to hit Latvia on Saturday, August 22nd. A red (high danger) warning is in place across a band of central Latvia including Rīga, with orange (danger) and yellow (potential danger) warnings in other parts of the country.
On Saturday, the weather in Latvia is set to deteriorate significantly, with forecasts predicting heavy downpours and winds that will cause damage.
Forecasts indicate that brief showers are expected in many parts of Latvia on Wednesday.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected more frequently in Latvia during the first half of the week.
Forecasts indicate that brief showers are expected in many parts of Latvia on Monday, with thunderstorms in some areas.
On Friday, the weather in Latvia will be mainly sunny, although the day will be mostly overcast in the very east of the country, according to forecasts.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will become cooler and windier over the next few days.
Forecasts suggest that warm weather is expected in Latvia on Monday.
According to data from ‘timeanddate.com’, the brightest quarter of the year has come to an end in Latvia and the solar autumn has begun.
On Thursday, a heat warning will be in force across central and eastern Latvia, including Riga, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will become hotter on Wednesday, according to weatherman Toms Bricis.
Forecasters predict that air temperatures in Latvia will rise in the middle of this week and fall slightly towards the end of the week.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia on Monday will be mostly sunny and warm.
On Friday, by 3 pm, the air temperature at the Jelgava weather station in Staļģene reached +31.8 degrees, breaking the heat record for the last day of July.
Forecasts suggest that Friday will be the hottest day of the week.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will become hotter on Thursday.
Forecasts indicate that rain and thunderstorms are expected in many parts of Latvia on Monday.
Intense rains on the evening of Monday, July 20th, caused damage in Talsi region, where the Dursupe mill lake overflowed and the water flooded the surrounding area and washed out local roads.
An orange (danger) warning has been issued across a large part of Latvia for violent storms which are expected to hit the country on Monday, July, 20th.
There will be heat, rain, and thunderstorms in Latvia over the weekend, but the weather will become colder next week, according to forecasts.
The weather in Latvia will be mostly sunny on Monday, according to forecasts, with a warm week to follow.
An orange warning (danger) for thunderstorms is in place for south-eastern Latvia on Sunday evening.
Starting Sunday, the weather in Latvia will become drier and warmer, and will often be even hot, according to forecasts by weatherman Toms Bricis.
Rain is expected throughout Latvia on Wednesday, with heavy rain in some areas; therefore, a yellow-level alert for heavy precipitation is in effect, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Forecasts indicate that heavy rain is expected in Latvia in the middle of this week.
Forecasts indicate that the sun will shine in Latvia on Monday, but brief rain showers and thunderstorms are also expected in many areas, according to weatherman Toms Bricis.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia this weekend will be overcast with frequent rain.
Rain is expected throughout Latvia on Friday, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in some areas, according to forecasts.
The extreme heat of recent days is abating on Tuesday, though a yellow (potential danger) warning remains in place across a large section of southern and eastern Latvia.
Forecasts indicate that the heat will subside in the second half of this week.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will remain hot on Monday.
Forecasters at the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) predict a very intense heat wave on Sunday.
Due to the expected heat wave, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center has issued an alert. A yellow alert will be in effect throughout Latvia on Saturday, while an orange alert will be in effect throughout Latvia on Sunday and Monday.
Forecasts indicate that a heat wave from Western Europe will reach Latvia on Saturday, according to LSM's weatherman Toms Bricis.
The post-holiday work week in Latvia will begin with fairly warm but cloudy weather; however, rain will fall only in some areas, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts brief showers in some areas on Midsummer’s Day.
Midsummer Night will be rain-free throughout Latvia, according to the latest forecasts.
Midsummer Week in Latvia will begin with dry and sunny weather, according to a forecast from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
The longest day of the year, Sunday, June 21, will be hot, with thunderstorms in the afternoon, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will be warm during the long holiday weekend, at times even hot and muggy.
Forecasts indicate that Friday will be mostly sunny in Latvia.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will become significantly warmer during the long holiday weekend.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will become windier but slightly warmer on Wednesday.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will become significantly warmer in the second half of this week.
Forecasts indicate that brief rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in many parts of Latvia on Monday.
Rainy weather will continue in Latvia over the next few days, and no heat is expected, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Heavy rain is expected in Latvia on Thursday, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
