Published: 30.12.2020.

With forests covering more than 50 % of the country’s territory (almost double the world average), Latvia is one of the most forested EU member states. Over the last 80 years, the forested area has doubled while standing volume has increased 3.8 times, reaching 680 million cubic metres.

According to National Forest Inventory (NFI) data, the majority of Latvia’s forest cover consists of coniferous trees, 50.5 % of total woodland.

About 46 % of forests are owned by the state and managed by state stock company Latvijas Valsts Meži (Latvian State Forests).

Distribution of Forest Area by Ownership, 1,000 ha at the end of the year

The relatively good health of Latvian forests compared with world averages gives them a substantial advantage. Furthermore, the area of regenerated forests is increasing. In 2022, a total area of 41 039 ha of forest was regenerated, of which 44 % was in State-owned forests and 56 % in private-sector forests.

Final Felling and Forest Regeneration, 1,000 ha
Volume of Felling by Ownership, standing volume 1,000 m3

More than 50 % of Latvian forests, including all State-owned forests, are certified in accordance with the PEFC system, and 85 companies in Latvia have obtained certification of their delivery chains from the same system. About 354 forest-sector enterprises and forest owners have certified their timber chain-of-custody systems according to FSC requirements and the amount of forestland that has been certified on the basis of FSC requirements exceeds 1.23 million hectares.

FOREIGN TRADE

The forestry industry has always been Latvia’s export leader. Exports of wood and its products were the most significant export sector in 2022, comprising 19.8 % of total export value. The significant part of forestry-sector output is exported.

The foreign trade balance of the Latvian woodworking industry is positive, having reached EUR 2.8 billion in 2022. In 2022, the value of forest product exports was EUR 4.2 billion, increasing by 16.4 % compared to 2021. In 2022, the value of forest products import was EUR 1.4 billion.

Exports and Imports of Woodworking Products, mln EUR

Sawn wood and fuel wood had the biggest shares of export value, totalling EUR 1.2 billion, and EUR 674.5 million respectively.

Export of Forest Products by Type of Products, %

The main export destinations traditionally are the United Kingdom and the EU countries: Sweden, Germany, Estonia, Lithuania and others.

Woodworking Product Exports by Country, %

Latvia has one of the highest investment rates in Europe in wood and wood products and the most competitive labor force. Within the subsector, builders’ carpentry has the highest investment rate. 

Latvian companies in industry 
Database of Latvian exporters

Additional information at:
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: www.csb.gov.lv
Ministry of Agriculture: www.zm.gov.lv
Latvian Wood Industry Portal: www.latvianwood.lv
JSC Latvijas Valsts Meži (Latvia’s State Forests): www.lvm.lv 
Latvia State Forest Service: www.vmd.gov.lv