The competitiveness of Latvian food producers, changing consumer habits, and opportunities to develop higher value-added products were the main topics at the Industry Day organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) on 30 October at the Madona Municipality Culture Centre. The event brought together around 150 food industry entrepreneurs, experts, and other professionals from across Latvia, demonstrating the sector’s interest in new growth solutions and cooperation opportunities.
Forum discussions focused on changes in the food market, consumer purchasing criteria, product development, and opportunities for producers to strengthen their positions in both domestic and international markets. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for closer cooperation with retailers and researchers, more efficient use of local raw materials, and adapting product offerings to changing demand.
“Latvian food producers have strong opportunities to strengthen their positions in both domestic and export markets. As competition intensifies, the ability to develop higher value-added products, adapt to consumer habits, and make efficient use of local resources is becoming increasingly important. The Madona forum demonstrated that entrepreneurs are actively seeking new development directions and cooperation opportunities. At LIAA, we are working to help turn these ambitions into tangible results – new products, international partnerships, and export deals. The growth potential of Latvia’s food industry lies in our ability to combine the experience, knowledge, and innovation of local producers to create products capable of competing in global markets,” emphasised Vita Balode-Andrūsa, Director of LIAA’s Export and Innovation Services Department.
One of the forum’s key conclusions was the growing need for food producers to respond more precisely to consumer needs. As Jānis Dubults, Executive Director of the Latvian Food Retailers Association, pointed out, local origin remains an important advantage, but it no longer guarantees a product’s competitiveness on its own.
“Latvian food producers have the potential to grow and compete in both domestic and international markets. However, consumer habits are changing, competition is increasing, and local origin alone no longer guarantees that shoppers will choose a product. Therefore, it is important for producers and retailers to cooperate more closely, develop a shared understanding of consumer needs, and strengthen the competitiveness of local products. Our common goal is to ensure that Latvian products are not only widely available on store shelves but also become consumers’ first choice,” Dubults stressed.
Meanwhile, food and beverage technologist Daina Eglīte-Antona highlighted the impact of demographic changes and consumer habits on the food industry. An ageing population, growing demand for healthier products, and changes in household structures are prompting producers to reconsider product formulations, packaging, and production solutions.
“Latvian food producers need to focus more on processing local raw materials to create higher value-added products,” Eglīte-Antona concluded. She also emphasised the need to anticipate demographic ageing and changing demand to ensure that businesses remain competitive in the long term.
Food startup investor Aigars Ruņģis also highlighted the forum’s importance in generating new development ideas and cooperation opportunities. He noted that such gatherings are particularly valuable for smaller producers seeking to expand their operations in Latvia and international markets by learning from the experiences of other businesses.
Participants welcomed the opportunity to meet producers, retailers, investors, and industry experts in one place. Dubults particularly emphasised the importance of LIAA’s initiative, noting that the forum’s value lay in its focus on practical growth solutions, encouraging entrepreneurial ambition, and establishing new partnerships.
The Madona food industry forum was the first event in LIAA’s Industry Days series, which aims to promote practical knowledge exchange and cooperation among businesses, national and local government institutions, business support organisations, and educational and research institutions.
The next Industry Days events will take place on 26 November at the Great Amber Concert Hall in Liepāja, focusing on the development of the energy sector, and on 1 December at the Ulbrokas Pērle Culture Centre, where participants will discuss competitiveness and growth opportunities in the electronics and electrical engineering industry.
The event series is organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia as part of the Innovative Business Development Programme for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Latvian state budget.
