Latvia's plywood exports increased by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching €98.6 million compared with €94.1 million in the same period of 2025.
The European Union remained the dominant destination, accounting for €74.0 million, or approximately 75% of total exports. Germany retained its position as the largest market, with imports rising 3% to €14.2 million. The United Kingdom followed at €8.7 million, ahead of Poland (€7.7 million), France (€6.1 million) and the Netherlands (€5.9 million).
Among the major EU markets, Poland recorded one of the strongest gains, with imports rising 11%. Exports also increased to Spain (+5%), Finland (+16%), Sweden (+17%), Italy (+17%), Estonia (+28%) and Austria (+23%). Slovakia doubled its imports to €1.3 million, while Greece recorded a 91% increase.
Several markets moved in the opposite direction. Exports to the Netherlands fell 10%, Lithuania declined 11%, Belgium dropped 16%, Denmark fell 23% and Hungary decreased 56%.
Outside the European Union, exports to other European countries fell 30% to €9.7 million. The decline was largely driven by Turkey and Norway, Latvia's two largest non-EU European destinations. Shipments to Turkey fell 28% to €4.2 million, while exports to Norway dropped 44% to €3.2 million.
Asia was the fastest-growing region. Exports increased 70% to €10.0 million, supported by strong demand from South Korea. South Korea became Latvia's second-largest export destination worldwide after Germany, with imports rising 76% to €9.1 million. Exports to Japan increased 73% to €862,000.
In contrast, shipments to China fell 74% to €41,805, while exports to India ceased during the quarter.
North America also recorded strong growth. Exports increased 57% to €3.6 million, with Canada up 68% to €2.4 million and the United States up 38% to €1.2 million.
| Rank | Destination | Q1 2025 (€) | Q1 2026 (€) | Change | Share 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 13,752,372 | 14,173,762 | +3% | 14.4% |
| 2 | South Korea | 5,187,875 | 9,105,373 | +76% | 9.2% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 8,481,802 | 8,746,126 | +3% | 8.9% |
| 4 | Poland | 6,971,575 | 7,742,867 | +11% | 7.9% |
| 5 | France | 5,892,652 | 6,145,475 | +4% | 6.2% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 6,585,890 | 5,904,057 | -10% | 6.0% |
| 7 | Spain | 4,108,350 | 4,325,848 | +5% | 4.4% |
| 8 | Turkey | 5,865,432 | 4,230,672 | -28% | 4.3% |
| 9 | Finland | 3,035,967 | 3,525,652 | +16% | 3.6% |
| 10 | Sweden | 2,924,552 | 3,435,456 | +17% | 3.5% |
| 11 | Lithuania | 3,710,564 | 3,312,161 | -11% | 3.4% |
| 12 | Italy | 2,725,408 | 3,199,021 | +17% | 3.2% |
| 13 | Norway | 5,727,624 | 3,190,604 | -44% | 3.2% |
| 14 | Estonia | 2,011,136 | 2,569,997 | +28% | 2.6% |
| 15 | Canada | 1,421,742 | 2,394,034 | +68% | 2.4% |
| 16 | Belgium | 2,399,350 | 2,027,078 | -16% | 2.1% |
| 17 | Austria | 1,450,454 | 1,785,680 | +23% | 1.8% |
| 18 | Slovakia | 652,957 | 1,305,359 | +100% | 1.3% |
| 19 | Czech Republic | 1,266,879 | 1,246,446 | -2% | 1.3% |
| 20 | United States | 888,479 | 1,225,203 | +38% | 1.2% |
| Total Latvian plywood exports | 94,137,234 | 98,618,033 | +5% | ||
