Alcohol production in Latvia drops 40.6% in first five months
Latvia's alcoholic beverage production (excluding beer) decreased by 40.6% in the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to fresh data.
According to data from the Central Statistical Bureau compiled by Dienas Bizness, alcohol production in Latvia saw a significant decline from January to May 2026. Total production volume, excluding beer, fell by 40.6% year-on-year.
The sharpest decreases were recorded in intermediate product categories. Production of intermediate products with up to 15% alcohol content dropped 16-fold, while those with 15% to 22% alcohol content fell 17.3-fold. Fermented beverages with up to 6% alcohol declined by 48.4%, and other alcoholic drinks decreased by 43.2%.
However, some categories posted growth. Fermented beverages with over 6% alcohol content surged 7.9-fold, and wine production rose by 9.2%.
When measured by absolute alcohol content, total production fell by 44.8%.
In the first five months, Latvia produced 556,160 liters of wine, 1.146 million liters of fermented beverages with up to 6% alcohol, 1.347 million liters of fermented beverages over 6%, 101,100 liters of intermediate products with up to 15% alcohol, 4,340 liters of intermediate products with 15–22% alcohol, and 9.372 million liters of other alcoholic drinks.
For context, in the full year 2025, Latvia produced 46.392 million liters of alcoholic beverages (excluding beer), which was 5% more than in 2024.
