Latvian farmers find salvation in growing beets for Lithuanian factories after the closure of sugar plants.

In the European Union, changes have occurred in the sugar production industry, leading to the closure of sugar factories in Latvia, despite promises of lowering prices for this product. Germany and Denmark have become the main players in this sector, while Poland and Lithuania managed to retain their factories. As a result, the cost of sugar in Lithuania has become lower than in Latvia, according to the source Gran-Lithuania.

When in 2017 the European Union acknowledged a mistake in the reforms carried out, the sugar industry could no longer recover in Latvia. However, when yields decreased in Lithuania, local producers began looking for suppliers in Latvia.

Latvian farmers decided to take advantage of this opportunity by growing sugar beets for Lithuanian factories. Otaņķu dzirnavnieks, an enterprise from southern Kurzeme, became a key player in this process, harvesting sugar beets both in Latvia and Lithuania. Other Latvian farmers also joined this initiative.

It is unclear whether Latvia will be able to fully restore the sugar industry in the future. However, the successful revival of sugar beet cultivation in Latvia can be considered a first step in that direction.