240 Young Cattle from Estonia Flown from Riga to Uzbekistan

This week, two trial flights carried 240 young cattle, brought from Estonia, from Riga Airport to Tashkent Airport in Uzbekistan. The flights tested whether Latvian state institutions and companies can jointly handle live cattle exports by air to Central Asian countries. This matters because overland transit through Russia is closed, while other routes via European airports take considerably longer.

How the flights were prepared

During the flights, improvements at the "AG Handling" cargo terminal were tested. A specialised cattle handling area has been built there to meet veterinary requirements, animal welfare conditions and good industry practice. The live animal transport procedures developed at Riga Airport were also checked.

In spring 2026, Estonian cattle-industry businesses expressed interest in exporting live cattle through Riga to Central Asian countries, which buy cattle to rebuild herds and their cattle farming sector. To make this possible, the Cabinet of Ministers' regulations were amended to designate Riga Airport as an official export point for live farm animals, and the terminal infrastructure was upgraded. The Food and Veterinary Service, the Customs Board of the State Revenue Service, the airline "Fly Khiva", the terminal operator "AG Handling" and the cargo agent "Rava Cargo" worked together. Experience from other European airports was also used.

Why air transport

Live cattle shipments from the Baltic states to Central Asia continue but have become harder in recent years. Alternative routes through other European airports significantly lengthen the total travel time. Flying from Riga reduces the time animals spend on road transport and allows shorter routes, improving delivery efficiency and animal welfare.

Elīna Šimiņa-Neverovska, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport, said the new cargo segment strengthens Riga Airport's competitiveness. Normunds Šmits, Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the option helps farmers reach new markets and develop Latvia as a logistics hub in the Baltics.

The project was initially driven by Estonian breeders' interest, but Latvian farmers have since shown interest too, and flights with Latvian-raised cattle have already been approved. The next flights are planned for early November.