The volumes of the manufacturing industry in Latvia showed record growth in recent years, stated the Ministry of Economics.
According to unprocessed data, the output of the manufacturing industry in September 2025 compared to September 2024 increased by 11.3%. After calendar adjustment, the growth was more moderate — at 8.5%. However, this is still significant.
Against the backdrop of sustained high external demand, the growth of the manufacturing sector in September 2025 was the fastest since June 2022, when the industry was rapidly recovering after the lifting of restrictions related to the coronavirus epidemic.
In September, the greatest positive impact on the growth of the manufacturing industry for the fourth consecutive month came from the two largest sub-sectors — wood processing, where production volumes increased by 12.8%, and food production — by 13%. The production of finished metal products also increased — by 16%, vehicles and trailers — by 37%, as well as computers, electronic and optical equipment — by 4.5%.
In September, the turnover of the manufacturing industry at actual prices increased by 14.1% year-on-year. The volume of products sold for export grew the fastest — by 16.1%, while the domestic market saw an increase of 10.5%. There was a significant increase in sales volumes of wood processing and food industry products.
The Ministry of Economics notes that by the end of 2025, production volumes will significantly exceed the level of 2024.
At the same time, the ministry emphasizes that geopolitical uncertainty and potential U.S. import tariffs continue to exert a limiting influence on the positive development of the industry, which may affect the competitiveness of Latvian exporters.
Despite positive forecasts, problems will persist for those enterprises still connected to the markets of Russia and other CIS countries — they need to continue restructuring their cooperation directions and seek new supply and sales markets, the Ministry of Economics emphasized.
