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
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On 7th September, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, is hosting her Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, who is visiting Latvia from 6th to 8th September.
On Monday, 7 September, Rihards Pīks, film director and former Latvian Minister for Culture as well as Foreign Affairs, passed away at the age of 84, his wife Sarmīte Pīka has announced.
With Latvia's next parliamentary elections due to take place on October 3rd, we can expect a significant increase in the number of column inches (if there is still such a thing as a column inch) dedicated to Latvian politics in the international press.
On Friday, 4th September from 10.00 to 13.30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host an international conference titled 'Conference on Belarus 2026'. The event is organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided another update on September 3rd on the status of dozens of Latvian citizens believed to be missing in Nepal following a catastrophic flood.
On Thursday, 3 September, Jānis Dombrava, Minister for the Interior (National Alliance), and Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister for Transport (New Unity), survived a vote of no confidence tabled by the opposition party Latvia First and several MPs not affiliated with any parliamentary group.
With exactly one month until polling day for Latvia's 15th Saeima elections on October 3rd, here's a rundown of a few important dates and deadlines over the next four weeks.
President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs is visiting the Vatican on 3-4 September.
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has so far received around 60 complaints regarding possible pre-election campaign violations. These have been confirmed in at least four cases, Latvian Radio reported on September 2.
Why have boring old imprecise political opinions when you can have snappy and exact political statistics? Here is a selection thrown up by October 3rd's Saeima elections!
At its extraordinary session today, the Riigikogu, Estonia's national parliament elected Ülle Madise as the President of the Republic.
October 3rd is another election day in Latvia. The country's democratic system is every bit as rigorous and complex as those in other countries, with polling stations opening both at home and across the globe, and this will be the 15th time a parliament, or Saeima, has been elected since the country won its independence in 1918.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) delivered a startling put-down of immigration controls tabled by his Interior Minister, Jānis Dombrava (National Alliance) on September 1st, suggesting he had achieved too little in the three months he had to prepare it, and had not properly coordinated the actions of the Interior Ministry with all the necessary agencies that should have been consulted.
President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, as is customary, has produced a September 1st message to all going or sending someone to school. It is reproduced verbatim below.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on August 31st it is currently finalizing the technical procedure to send a Consular Department employee to Kathmandu, Nepal in the near future, in the wake of the recent disaster in Nepal and Tibet.
Latvia goes to the polls on October 3rd to choose who will sit in the national parliament, the Saeima, for the next four years.
On August 28th, President Edgars Rinkēvičs received Estonian President Alar Karis and his spouse Sirje Karis on a farewell visit to Latvia "in gratitude for their close cooperation and contribution to strengthening Latvian-Estonian relations," according to a release from the Latvian presidential chancellery.
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far been unable to contact approximately 40 Latvian travelers who are believed to be in the flood-stricken regions of Nepal and Tibet.
The speakers of the Nordic and Baltic parliaments are meeting in Iceland on Thursday and Friday for their annual get-together and to observe the referendum on the resumption of Iceland's European Union membership negotiations.
The agenda has been published for this year's Riga Conference geopolitical talking shop which will take place on September 10th and 11th at the National History Museum in Rīga's Old Town.
In the run-up to the Saeima elections, polling station staff are testing the electoral systems. Cybersecurity authorities have carried out intensive checks and identified several vulnerabilities, one of which was reportedly critical, Latvian Radio reported on August 27.
Support for Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' political force "United List" (AS) grew in August, but the popularity of other coalition parties decreased, according to a survey conducted for Latvian Television by SKDS from August 13 to 19.
Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Țoiu, is paying a working visit to Latvia on 27-28 August.
Following confirmation that the director of the United States' Central Intelligence agency (CIA), John Ratcliffe, made a trip to Moscow via Rīga this week, speculation is rampant regarding the reason for the visit, in the absence of any official information.
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 supposed 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.
Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show reports on a situation in involving vast amounts of unnecessary bureaucracy, reams of paperwork, sudden inspections and shady plaintiffs in absurd legal actions that is worthy of the great Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol.
Heavyweight statistics released by Eurostat on September 4th may leave many Latvians gasping for breath. It turns out that we are the second most obese people in the European Union.
Latvian State Police said on September 4th that at the end of August, law enforcement officers from the Riga Regional Department detained a known illegal cigarette dealer in the Ziepniekkalns suburb of Rīga.
The results of an additional sample taken from Lake Saldus on 31 August have once again shown elevated levels of microbiological (E. coli) contamination in the bathing water, said the Health Inspectorate.
The charity campaign “Let’s Help Prepare for School Together!”, organised by the Akropole shopping malls and the charity organisation Ziedot.lv, has concluded after taking place for the seventh consecutive year.
Latvia plans to allocate 28.3 million euros to purchase mines this year and over the next two years, the LETA news agency reported on September 3.
Another official database in Latvia has been raided by hackers, it emerged on September 3rd.
On Thursday, September 3rd, the Saeima supported amendments to the Law on Personal Identification Documents and amendments to the Law on Electronic Identification of Natural Persons in their final reading.
The State Police have completed a pre-trial investigation into alleged fraud in the provision of insolvency services, in which 57 people have been recognised as victims. The total loss amounts to at least 81,304 euros, the police said on September 3.
From September 5th to 14th, the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia will be conducting drills with the name "Oak Projection" at the Sēlija military training ground.
From 10 to 13 September, the Latvian National Museum of Natural History will host the exhibition “Dahlias 2026”, featuring hundreds of dahlias – including both classic varieties that have become favourites over the years and new breeds, the museum announced.
A man born in 1967 has been arrested in Jelgava on suspicion of sexually abusing five minors, the State Police have reported.
The Rīga City Court on Wednesday released from custody long-time pro-Russia activist Viktors Guščins, who is accused of violating sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) by providing publications to a Russian propaganda resource.
During the first week of September, the ceremonial guard posts at the Freedom Monument and Rīga Castle will remain unmanned – this is due to military exercises.
On Tuesday, 2 September, the comprehensive national defence exercise ‘Namejs 2026’, organised by the National Armed Forces (NBS), begins across Latvia and will run until 8 October, according to representatives of the National Armed Forces.
The State Police have received reports of incidents in which fraudsters have attempted to swindle money from the relatives of Latvians who have gone missing in Nepal, police said on September 1.
Operation ‘Vilkatis’ (Werewolf), aimed at reducing illegal migration, will be extended until 3 October, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (‘United List’) announced at a press conference on Tuesday following a cabinet meeting.
The Latvian Ministry of Defence has opened voluntary applications for Latvian citizens aged 18 to 27 for the 11-month January conscription of the national defence service.
An investigation has been launched into a "possible violation" by an employee at a military school in Latvia.
The Criminal Division of the Senate and the Latgale Regional Court have imposed 23 and 20 years' prison sentence on the father and stepmother of murdered seven-year-old Justīne Reinikova, the Supreme Court has announced.
Across the country, 19,000 Year 1 pupils started school on 1 September. There is a sense of satisfaction at the start of the new academic year at Viļāni Secondary School in the Rēzekne district, as this year it has the highest number of first-year pupils of any school n in the district, LSM's Latgale editorial reports.
The second Nordic Resilience Summit will take place on 10th September at the National Library of Latvia, organizers have confirmed.
A new unit of Estonian border guards was sent to Latvia at the start of the week to combat illegal migration and protect the European Union's external border, reports ERR News.
November will mark 13 years since the collapse of the ‘Maxima’ supermarket in Zolitūde, in which 54 people lost their lives, and many dozens more were seriously injured. On Monday, 31 August, survivors and relatives of the victims attended the opening of the Memorial Garden for those who lost their lives in the Zolitūde tragedy.
Following the cyberattack on the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) and the data breach, the Directorate has received many submissions relating to the incident, including compensation claims, Latvian Television reported on August 31.
On Sunday, August 30th, Latvian border guards in the Augšdaugava region found a drone being used to smuggle cigarettes across the border.
Latvia's National Armed Forces (NBS) issued an orange alert over a potential threat to Latvian airspace in Alūksne district, in the north east of the country, at 03:37 on September 1st. The threat was then declared over at 04:17.
The warning covering Ludza municipality regarding a potential threat to airspace is over.
To mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, Latvian Public Media, in collaboration with the charity organisation “Ziedot.lv”, is organising a fundraising campaign entitled “In thoughts and deeds together with Ukraine”.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has referred a criminal case to the Rīga City Court in which a 70-year-old man, who posed as a healer, is charged with committing a total of 28 sexual offences, the LETA news agency reported from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) reported on August 31 that the incidence of the infectious disease tularemia, which is transmitted by animals including rodents, ticks, mosquitoes and horseflies, is on the rise in Latvia.
From 28 August to 15 September, the entry of hot-air balloons into Latvian airspace has been authorised, according to the Civil Aviation Agency.
International diving training exercises called "DIVEX 26" are concluding in Tallinn Bay, Estonia on August 28th, with divers and specialists from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and the United States participating.
Researchers analyze Latvia's oldest rocks, its bedrock, both directly, by drilling holes, and indirectly, by taking various measurements, but still relatively little is known about this important aspect of geology, report Latvian Radio's 'Known Unknown' science show.
Due to the storms that took place last weekend, elevated levels of pollution have been detected at several bathing sites in Rīga, said the Rīga City Council on August 28.
A case has been referred to court concerning a member of an international organised group who is accused of smuggling 10 million cigarettes from Belarus. The cigarette smuggling caused losses of 1.5 million euros to the state, the Public Prosecutor’s Office reported.
Both underground tunnels on the Latvia–Belarus border were "undoubtedly" dug with the knowledge of the Belarusian authorities, said Guntis Pujāts, Commander of the State Border Guard, on the Latvian Radio programme “Krustpunktā” on August 27.
Several Latvian patients with spinal muscular atrophy, a severe genetic disease, are considering moving to other European countries, because Latvia does not pay for medicines that significantly slow down the progression of the disease for adults with this diagnosis, reports Latvian Radio.
The level of military threat to Latvia has not changed, and residents have no reason to be concerned, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) said on August 27th as he attempted to reassure the public that moves to potentially declare a 'state of emergency' along the country's eastern border are nothing to worry about.
The Estonian company ‘Wolfram Europa’ plans to set up a production facility for explosives and warheads in Jēkabpils Municipality in Latvia. The project, covering an area of approximately 40 hectares, is expected to create around 200 jobs, with production set to begin in the second half of 2027, LSM's Latgale editorial reported on August 26.
The Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM), which is under the political supervision of the National Alliance (NA), has drawn up and submitted for approval a draft order that provides for the declaration of a state of emergency in the health, energy supply and water management sectors along Latvia’s eastern border, LETA reports.
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.
The State Security Service (VDD) carried out criminal investigation operations on Thursday and during the night of Thursday to Friday at four premises in Rīga and the surrounding area linked to the “Mnogoknig” bookshop chain, which primarily sells books in the Russian language, the service confirmed to the LETA news agency.
On Thursday, 3 September, the oral auction for the leasehold rights to the Rēzekne recreation or spa centre came to a close. A tenant has finally been found for the property, which the local authority had been seeking for some time, according to the Rēzekne City Council.
Central Statistical Bureau data published on September 2 show that in Q2 2026 the average monthly gross wages and salaries stood at 1,886 euro (in full-time units). Compared with Q2 2025, the average monthly earnings before taxes increased by 78 euro or 4.3 %. Hourly earnings increased to 13.18 euro, or by 3.9 %.
In the second round of the public-private partnership rental housing programme, the majority of the local authorities involved have decided not to continue their participation due to unpredictable costs, so the round has been cancelled, Latvian Radio reported on September 2.
Perhaps influenced by the tense geopolitical situation in the region, the number of tourists choosing to stay in Latvia dropped in the first six months of 2026, according to fresh Eurostat figures.
Thousands of litres of milk poured down the drain – these are the consequences that prolonged power cuts have caused for dairy farmers, Vidusdaugava Television reported on August 31.
Data published on August 31 by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) shows that in the first 6 months, compared to the respective period of the previous year, GDP at constant prices (seasonally and calendar non-adjusted) increased by 2.8 %. GDP at current prices comprised EUR 21.3 billion.
Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that, compared to July 2025, in July 2026 total retail trade turnover in Latvia rose by 7.0 %.
By 6.00 am on Friday, 28 August, electricity distributor ‘Sadales tīkls’ had restored power to the majority of customers affected by the storm; around 2,500 customers remain without electricity.
As intensive work continues in the wake of the storm at the weekend, power supply had been restored to approximately 98.5 per cent of customers affected by the storm by 6.00 am on 27 August.
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.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will feel like summer over the next few days, but it will become cooler and rainier again in the second half of the week.
On Friday, a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms is in force across Kurzeme and much of Vidzeme, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will gradually become cooler and more autumnal this week.
According to the forecast, the calendar summer in Latvia will end with a mostly sunny and warm day, although there will be showers in places.
Forecasts show that it will rain frequently in Latvia during the first month of autumn, with heavy rain expected at times.
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.
