40% of Latvia's grain exports last year went to Nigeria

Last year 3.0 million tonnes of total harvested production of grain was obtained, which was 502.5 thousand tonnes or 14.4 % less than in 2020, which admittedly was when the highest total grain production in the history of Latvia – 3.5 million tonnes – was registered.

Total grain exports in 2021 were down 7.6 % compared to 2020, including 12.3 % for wheat and 12.9 % for rye. However, exports of barley (51.6 %) and oats (1 %) have increased. In 2021, the largest grain exports were to Nigeria (40 %), Spain (9.2 %), South Africa (7.5 %) and Saudi Arabia (5.2 %). 

"The weather in summer 2021 had a significant impact on the yields of almost all agricultural crops, especially spring cereals. The average yield per hectare of winter cereals decreased by 7.2 quintals compared to 2020, and the total yield obtained was 107.3 thousand tonnes or 4.4 % lower. The average yield per hectare of spring cereals decreased by 11.0 quintals and is the lowest in the last 11 years," the CSB said.

Cereals accounted for 59.6 % of the total sown area in 2021 (59.0 % in 2020), while the share of rape remained stable at 11.3 % in 2021 (11.4 % in 2020). The share of winter wheat in the cereal area increased significantly from 50.7 % in 2020 to 54.9 % in 2021.

Harvested production and average yield of agricultural crops