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The textile and clothing sector in Latvia has for
centuries been one of the most important sectors in
the Latvian economy. Culturally, it has significant
roots and is mostly associated with natural materials
and high quality. The sector employs 968
companies, offers attractive competitive prices, and
has more than 12,000 skilled and motivated
employees.
Potential
The Latvian textile sector can be defined as rather small
but solid, and offers an innovative platform, with
strengths of high added-value export products such as
underwear, technical textile, knitted and crocheted
garments, work wear, and hosiery.
The textile sector offers (2012):
The market is fairly EU-oriented, where the most
important business partners are the Baltics and the
Scandinavian countries. However, Russia, Ukraine
and Belarus are increasing its investments. Due to
investments in technologies and equipment, the
sector is very cost-efficient, productive and
competitive, making the Latvian market attractive to
enter.
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Key statistics and forecast on Latvian economy
08’
09’
10’
11’
12’
GDP
-2.8
-1.3
5.3
5.2
(%)
17.7
Unemplo 7.7 17.5 19.5 16.2
15
yment
(%)
Consume 15.4 3.5
-1.1
4.4
2.3
r prices
(%)
Annual
2,8
1,2
0,2
1,3
0,1
inflation
(%)
FDI
672 628 576 581 418
(mio.
EUR)
Source: Ministry of finance, Central Statistical Bureau
13e’
14f’
4.5
4.5
12
9.6
0.0
2.0
-0,2
0.6
450
Over 968 companies, mainly small and medium
sized companies
More than 12.411 skilled employees
Professional institutions educate 8% of new
employees, from tailors, hand-craftsmen, and leather
designers to clothing and textile technologists.
Total production amounts of textile in value
reached 257, 5 mio. EUR.
Competitiveness
The Latvian textile sector is dominated by sewing
companies that acts as outsourced production of EU
brands. This is very convenient since production and
delivery times are short and technical capabilities are
advanced. In 2011, the sector’s contribution to Latvia’s
GDP reached 4.4 %.
The main sector characteristics:
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Short lead and delivery time of products
Efficient in small and diversified production
volumes;
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Creating high value added of products regarding
local design inputs;
Experienced in international markets;
Open to new technologies and innovations
The industry is highly export oriented, particularly
the lingerie segment
Price and quality ratio
Latvia is ranked the second most environmentally
friendly nation in the world according to the
recent Environmental Performance Index report by
Yale and Columbia Universities, which studied more
than 130 countries.
Latvia connects the east with the west
Good infrastructure:
o Riga, Liepaja and Ventspils sea ports
Latvia is especially known internationally for innovative
textile products such as:
Lingerie manufacturing
This subsector of textiles is especially produced in the
seaside city of Liepaja, which hosts more than 50 lingerie
manufactures. Latvian lingerie companies are getting
more international attention due to their creativity and
sense of feminine beauty; only the French has a higher
concentration level of lingerie manufactures. Latvian
lingerie is mainly distributed in Europe and Russia.
Relevant fairs
For visits and/ or joint stand arrangements we would
recommend the biggest fashion and textile fair in the Baltics:
Trends
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Small and medium sized companies working with their
own jersey, knitwear or other material collection are
becoming more ecological oriented and Latvia is now
ranked the second most environmentally friendly nation
within textiles and clothing. Overall, Latvian fashion
designers are gaining more internationally attention and
recognition.
The fair is a unified trade fair for the fashion and textile
industry in the Baltic Region held twice a year in spring in
Riga and autumn in Vilnius. More than 223 companies
from over 13 countries participated in 2013.
Also, even smaller companies are flexible in regards to
short time delivery; they are able to take various orders,
involving materials and small and spread production
volumes.
Nowadays, due to technological and industrial
knowledge, the textile sector is able to create high valueadded products such as silver and amber threads.
Further, linen is still a huge part of the Latvian textile
industry, which also contributes to niche products.
Main products
Traditional textile products:
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Cloths
Home textile from linen
Knitted and crochet products
Technical textiles
Underwear and materials used for underwear
Functional wear and outwear
Other apparel
“Baltic Fashion & Textile Riga”, April 4-6/2014
For more information, please visit:
www.bt1.lv/bt1/fashion/index.php
Contacts at the Royal Danish Embassy in
Riga, Latvia:
The Trade Council in Riga
Inese Leja-Raphael
Commercial Officer
(+371) 29 29 72 04
(+371) 67 22 62 10, ext. 32
E-mail: [email protected]
Webpage: www.letland.um.dk