Data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2018 price index of agricultural output increased by 6 %, which was mainly due to the 14 % rise in crop product prices. Price index of livestock products fell by 4.1 %.
Compared to 2017, in 2018 increase was recorded in prices of almost all products of crop production sector, which was influenced by lower yield resulting from the long-lasting drought as well as rise in grain prices on the exchange.
Average purchase price of grain rose by 16 % – from 145.17 EUR/t in 2017 to 168.34 EUR/t in 2018, reaching the highest price registered since 2014. The most significant increase was recorded in the average purchase prices of barley (of 27.3 %) and rye (20.8 %).
Compared to the previous year, prices of vegetables and potatoes went up by 15.4 % and 10.2 %, respectively, while prices of rape seeds fell by 2.4 %.
| 2017 | 2018 | Changes, % (2018, compared to 2017) | |
| Grain, total | 145,17 | 168,34 | 16,0 |
| wheat | 148,16 | 171,69 | 15,9 |
| rye | 117,44 | 141,89 | 20,8 |
| barley | 127,16 | 161,90 | 27,3 |
| Rape seeds | 354,76 | 346,18 | -2,4 |
| Pulses | 176,95 | 203,96 | 15,3 |
| Potatoes | 130,81 | 144,20 | 10,2 |
| Vegetables | 617,61 | 712,64 | 15,4 |
| Livestock (slaughter weight) | 1529,48 | 1458,78 | -4,6 |
| cattle | 1781,65 | 1940,30 | 8,9 |
| pigs | 1504,26 | 1358,28 | -9,7 |
| sheep | 3400,19 | 3441,96 | 1,2 |
| poultry | 1680,83 | 1755,50 | 4,4 |
| Milk | 305,88 | 283,37 | -7,4 |
| Eggs, EUR per 100 pieces | 7,15 | 7,15 | 0,0 |
Average purchase price of meat decreased by 4.6 % – from 1 529 EUR/t in 2017 to 1 459 EUR/t in 2018. The mostnotable drop was recorded in purchase price of pork – of 9.7 % (from 1 358 EUR/t in 2018).
Average purchase price of beef and veal went up by 8.9 %, reaching 1 940 EUR/t, which is the highest price registered since 2014. Rise was also registered in prices of poultry (of 4.4 %) and mutton (1.2 %), reaching 1 756 EUR/t and 3 442 EUR/t, respectively.
Average purchase price of milk fell by 7.4 % – from 306 EUR/t in 2017 to 283 EUR/t in 2018. The lowest purchase price of milk was observed in May (268 EUR/t) and the highest in January (307 EUR/t). It should be noted that in 2017 the highest milk purchase price over the past 20 years was recorded.
Average purchase price of eggs did not change and constituted 7.15 EUR/100 eggs.
Source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia
