Previously the company exported about 90% of its production, but it is now rerouting most of its production to the local market. "We have been contacted by many local entrepreneurs who are making disinfectant and pharmaceuticals to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus," said company head Liāna Dravniece.
The company likewise said its production capacity is at almost 100% now, as opposed to 60-70% in December and January. "We have many more orders than the factory can make in the coming days and weeks. But we realize our responsibility and are doing what we can at this difficult time," Dravniece said.
The Kalsnava Distillery company was founded in 1937. It made 5,800 tons of ethanol in 2019, and most of its production was exported to the EU.
The move follows a similar announcement by Latvijas Balzams, a beverage producer which has now re-oriented production to making hand-and-surface disinfectant in response to the coronavirus outbreak.