Bread, honey and cheese makers gather in Jelgava

The city of Jelgava has once again hosted its annual gathering of Latvian food producers, combining two long-running traditions — the Milk, Bread and Honey Festival, held for the 26th time, and the Latvian Regional Cheese Day, marking its 24th edition this year. The event drew food producers from across all regions of Latvia, who presented their goods to visitors.

A strong year for beekeepers

Among the participants were beekeepers, who this year reported a significantly better honey harvest compared to previous years. The improved yield allowed producers to offer a wider selection of honey at the festival.

Demand for rye bread holds steady

Bakers attending the event noted that public interest in traditional rye bread has not declined. Despite the wide variety of bread products now available on the market, demand for this staple item remains stable.

Small cheese makers face pricing pressure

Meanwhile, small-scale cheese producers who took part in the Latvian Regional Cheese Day said that maintaining a competitive price is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge. Smaller operations, which often rely on traditional cheese-making methods, find it hard to match the pricing of larger market players, yet they continue to take part in such events to connect directly with customers.

The Jelgava festival has become one of the longest-standing traditions bringing together local food producers and consumers, offering a platform for direct engagement and shared experience.