Latvia

Shoe polish experienced the most rapid growth in volume terms in 2023. This market expansion can be attributed to the rising population, primarily driven by the influx of Ukrainian refugees, contributing to Latvia's population growth. However,…

Retail volume sales of coffee saw a stagnant performance in 2023, as the high cost of living affected consumer purchasing behaviour. Forced to spend more on utilities and food, Latvians shifted away towards more affordable products. The market also…

Despite a return to on-the-go consumption following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, off-trade volume sales of bottled water declined in 2023. Economic uncertainty is heavily impacting sales, while the outbreak of COVID-19 negatively impacted…

Deodorants were one of the stronger performers among beauty and personal care products in 2023. Despite the stubbornly high inflation, caused initially by the energy crisis from the war in Ukraine, deodorants registered both healthy constant value…

The year 2023 witnessed a remarkable surge in the demand for tampons among Latvian women, primarily attributed to the increasing adoption of active lifestyles. This trend, echoing the patterns observed in the previous year, reflects a notable shift…

In 2023, automatic dishwashing tablets experienced the most rapid growth in value terms, aligned with rising price points and increasing sales of dishwashers. Consumers are choosing automatic dishwashing tablets as they offer precise detergent…

Off-trade volume sales recorded double-digit growth in 2022, however, much of this is due to the product growing from a small base. As such, actual product sales and values remain low, with ongoing potential for growth.

Oral care has become an important part of daily personal care routines in Latvia over the review period. Growing dentist bills and the fashionable trend for healthy teeth and fresh breath has driven sales of oral care products in 2023. Oral…

In 2023, colour cosmetics in Latvia witnessed strong growth in retail volume and current value terms. Although this category is subject to fashion trends, overall demand is generally positive. With consumers fully back to normal in both their…

In 2023, toilet care tablets and powders witnessed solid growth in retail value and volume sales. This surge can be attributed to the increased time consumers spend working from home, resulting in more frequent toilet usage and a heightened need for…

In 2023, home care experienced notable growth in retail value and volume terms. Rising inflation and higher price points boosted retail value, in addition to added-value properties and eco-friendly positionings. Retail volume growth benefited from an…

Energy drinks continued recording positive off-trade volume growth in 2023, with double-digit growth for the second year. Energy drinks registered strong growth over the review period and survived the onset of COVID-19 unscathed, with healthy retail…

In 2023, skin care in Latvia witnessed slower growth compared to 2022 rates but still made good progress. Skin care is one of the few categories where consumers are willing to pay extra for higher quality products or a reputable brand. Still, the…

Following a relatively strong performance in the year prior, demand for hair care slowed in Latvia during 2023. Retail volume sales came under pressure following the price increases, although this had a positive impact on current value growth. 2023…

Fragrances in Latvia registered a much slower performance in 2023 compared to previous years. Although fragrances are considered a staple item for the majority of consumers, demand weakened for several reasons. Economic uncertainty remained strong in…

The return of normal lifestyles in Latvia following the COVID-19 pandemic restored growth in depilatories bringing about a solid recovery in volume sales in 2021 and 2022. Depilatories is a mature category with limited growth opportunities due to the…

Electric insecticides recorded the most robust growth in 2023, recognised for their exceptional effectiveness in combating both flying and crawling insects, making them the preferred choice among many consumers dealing with pest infestations. Many…

In 2023, gel air fresheners saw strong growth rates in both retail value and volume. These fresheners are crafted with formulations designed to impart a longer-lasting fragrance, distinguishing them from other formats and appealing to consumers…

Improving state finances and effective control of corruption are adding to Latvia’s economic freedom, but relations with neighbours continue to be tense. Economic momentum is moderating, owing to high inflation that is hitting consumption, but the…

Off-trade volume sales declined in 2023, challenged by rising price points and the growing health awareness in the country. While many consider juice a healthy product, a rising number of consumers are avoiding juice to reduce their sugar intake.…

Throughout 2023, the demand for paper towels experienced remarkable growth in both value and volume terms. This surge can be attributed to the growing recognition among consumers of the versatility and practicality of paper towels in various…

Off-trade sales declined in 2023, with concentrates being a relatively small category in Latvia, which registered minimal growth over the review period. While its performance was positive in 2020, with people spending more time at home, sales began…

Off-trade volume sales stagnated in carbonates in Latvia in 2023, with a slight decline noted in retail volume as sales were challenged by rising inflation and increased price points. This led many consumers to reduce their spending on…

Tea edged towards stagnation in retail volume terms in 2023, in contrast to its more dynamic performance earlier in the review period. In general, Latvia is a coffee consuming country, meaning that tea has more of a niche presence. In addition, there…

Retail volume sales of hot drinks in Latvia saw a static performance in 2023, as the high rate of inflation weighed heavily on consumer spending. With consumers forced to spend more on utilities and food, they shifted away from premium brands and…

Sun care was one of the strongest performing categories in 2023, with the hot summer added momentum to volume sales in Latvia. In spite of high inflation, caused by an energy crisis stemming from the war in nearby Ukraine, volume sales of sun care…

In 2023, descalers experienced positive retail volume growth, attributed to two reasons. Firstly, the decline in water quality has raised concerns among consumers. These products effectively prevent limescale accumulation, extending the lifespan of…

In 2023, retail value growth remained double-digit in laundry care, impacted by ongoing inflation and rising price points. Liquid tablet detergents exhibited the most rapid growth in both retail volume and value, thanks to its efficient formula and…

In 2023, while rising prices drove retail value sales, bleach recorded a retail volume decline. This decline can be attributed to consumers using home care detergents that feature disinfectant components with safer formulations. Consumers…

Due to rising inflation and economic uncertainty in Latvia, off-trade volume sales of soft drinks declined in 2023. With rising prices, disposable incomes were reduced, leading many to adapt their buying habits, reducing purchases of non-essential…

RTD tea is not considered an essential item in Latvia, and as such, during economic uncertainty, RTD tea is often cut from consumers' budgets. RTD tea is mainly consumed on the go, and the outbreak of COVID-19 and lockdowns proved negative for retail…

Moist toilet wipes experienced an unprecedented surge in demand throughout 2023, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the wipes market. This surge was reflected in both value and volume metrics, with notable implications for consumer…

Sales of sports drinks in Latvia grew well for the second consecutive year in a row, with off-trade volume sales recording positive growth. Sports drinks are an emerging category in Latvia, and the health and wellness trend is bolstering sales as…

The year 2023 was a strong year for men’s grooming in Latvia and the Baltic region overall. Men have fully returned to socialising with daily regimes resumed outside the home. Consequently, frequent grooming has once again become a daily habit among…

Other hot drinks retained a relatively niche presence in Lativa in 2023, with little interest on the part of consumers and retailers. Other plant-based hot drinks led retail volume and value sales, due to the popularity of barley-and chicory-based…

The surge in demand for light adult incontinence products in 2023 is indicative of a broader trend towards greater awareness and acceptance of these solutions. This trend mirrors the growing acceptance observed toward the end of the review period,…

Nappies/diapers/pants in Latvia witnessed a notable decrease in volume sales in 2023, primarily attributed to the diminishing birth rate in the country. Economic factors, evolving social trends, and changing demographics collectively contributed to…

2023 was a slightly better year for the bath and shower category in Latvia. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for soap has remained robust with many consumers continuing the habit of frequent hand washing. That being said, the ongoing…

Tissue and hygiene in 2023 witnessed substantial expansion, encompassing both retail and away-from-home tissue and hygiene products. This growth is underpinned by a multitude of factors, notably the elevated standards of personal hygiene and a…

Although vitamins are still witnessing solid current growth in 2023, demand is now subsiding after several years of dynamic performance during the pandemic years. Retail volume and current value sales are now substantially higher than pre-pandemic…

Dietary supplements registered another strong performance in 2023, with double-digit growth in current value terms. Consumers have adopted healthier habits since the pandemic, and are keen to invest more in their health and immunity. Dietary…

The premium segment represents a relatively small proportion of beauty and personal care in Latvia. Nonetheless, in value terms, premium products are growing at almost twice the pace of mass products. Consumer preferences for premium products is well…

Analgesics continues to witness strong current value growth in 2023 as consumers return to normal lifestyles and are exposed to regular seasonal common colds and viruses. A high proportion of analgesics are used to tackle everyday colds and flu…

Due to the economic uncertainty in the country, most other dairy categories are showing a drop in volume sales in 2023, especially chilled and shelf stable desserts as they are not perceived to be essential items. Decline is also attributable to the…

While sugar confectionery is expected to register an increase in current value sales, volume growth is expected to be muted, as continuing high inflation dampens volume sales. In terms of value growth, mints are expected to be the strongest…

Gum is expected to register modest volume growth in 2023, as consumers lead busy lives and often use gum as a breath freshener. In addition, gum is particularly popular among smokers, to remove any bad breath.

In 2023, breakfast cereals in Latvia is experiencing stagnation, primarily due to health concerns among parents regarding sugar intake for children. In addition, the static number of children in Latvia limits the potential for market growth. The…

Although dermatologicals continues to enjoy steady growth in 2023, current value sales have slowed down compared to the double-digit rates seen at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst spending more time at home, Latvian consumers became…

Volume sales of cheese are experiencing stagnation in 2023 due to its high price, which peaked in 2022 as a result of the rising cost of logistics and energy. Inflation pressure is improving in 2023; however, economic uncertainty prevails. Consumer…

RTDs have a strong presence in Latvia, where the category is well developed compared to the neighbouring Lithuanian market. With an array of brands vying for share, this is a saturated category where local manufacturers have carved out strong…