Industry
https://www.finieris.com/lv/turpinas-latvijas-finiera-rupnicas-paplasinasana-somija/
The expansion project is part of roughly EUR 15 million in investment aimed at increasing production volumes at the Sastamala plant, improving the level of automation and introducing more modern technological solutions, including the use of artificial intelligence in production processes. The investment will also have a positive impact on employment in the region, while maintaining efficient and productive output.
https://www.vmd.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/par-mezsaimniecisko-darbibu-jainforme-valsts-meza-dienests
Under Section 29, Paragraph two of the Forest Law, forest owners or legal possessors are required to inform the State Forest Service by 1 February each year of the forestry activities, including tree felling, carried out during the previous calendar year.
https://lvportals.lv/dienaskartiba/385187-atklata-vestule-valsts-prezidentam-un-saeimai-par-grozijumiem-autocelu-lietosanas-nodevas-likuma-2026
...raising the road-use levy will, directly and indirectly, affect a significantly wider section of society, including the forestry and timber sector, food production and supply chains, construction and regional business, the self-employed and small farms, and every consumer onto whom the resulting rise in final prices will be passed for goods and services.
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/bulduros-tiks-atklats-starptautisks-kokkopju-arboristu-izglitibas-un-sertifikacijas-centrs
The main task of the “Bulduri Arborist Centre” is to deliver basic vocational education programmes for tree surgeons (arborists), as well as lifelong learning and professional development courses for specialists in the sector.
Worth knowing! Upcoming and ongoing events
An invitation to secondary school students until 30 January to take part in the ”LVM Bioeconomy School” scholarship competition
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7792-vidusskolenus-aicina-piedalities-stipendiju-konkursa-lvm-bioekonomikas-skola
30 January seminar at LBTU “Benefits and Challenges of Urban Meadows”
More information
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/seminars-urbano-plavu-ieguvumi-un-izaicinajumi
3 February international conference of the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum on construction and architecture issues, “Preserving and Interpreting Architectural Heritage Today”
http://brivdabasmuzejs.lv/zinas/muzeja-starptautiska-gadskarteja-konference-3-februari/
12 February at the University of Latvia Botanical Garden, a lecture by Agnis Graudulis, ”Nut Growing in Canada”
More information
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/lekcija-riekstkopiba-kanada
In January 2026 Latvia is marking the 35th anniversary of the 1991 Barricades, which played an invaluable role in restoring Latvia's statehood.
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/1991-gada-janvara-barikazu-atcere-zemkopibas-ministrija-vesturiskas-lauktehnikas-ekspozicija-un-fotoizstade
Survey on coexistence with large carnivores
https://sondages.inrae.fr/index.php/456847?lang=lv
Industry and winter
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7848-lvm-piedava-papildu-tehnologiskas-koksnes-apjomu-piegadem-februari-un-marta
As cold weather continues, demand for heat energy and energy products – pellets, split firewood – is rising on the domestic market,
https://www.db.lv/zinas/asociacija-granulu-deficits-radies-jo-tirgotaji-palavas-uz-siltu-ziemu-524888
Winter has arrived, and no retailer had expected a winter like this. Retailers have not signed contracts, and so they have no guaranteed volumes.
Official
https://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/krauze-pasniedz-meza-nozares-atzinibas-rakstu-arlietu-ministrei-b-brazei
Baiba Braže was actively involved in shutting down channels for the illegal import of wood products from aggressor states, especially birch plywood. Thanks to the work put in by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the entire foreign service, significant progress was achieved in 2024 – illegal plywood imports into Latvia fell 30-fold compared with the previous year.
https://www.sam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/kravas-automasinam-lidz-3500-kg-nodevas-cena-2026gada-nepaaugstinas-papildu-atvieglojumi-zemniekiem-daudzbernu-gimenem-un-reemigrantiem
On a second reading, the Saeima approved amendments to the Road Use Levy Law, setting rate changes intended to reduce the negative impact on the environment and on roads.
https://www.vaad.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/2026-gada-biologiskaja-razosana-atlauts-izmantot-konvencionalo-pavairosanas-materialu-ar-visparejo-atlauju-tam-sugam-kas-minetas-lemuma
In 2026, the use of conventional propagating material in organic production is permitted, under a general authorisation, for the species listed in the decision. The general authorisation also covers seed mixtures, except for seed mixtures consisting solely of annual plant species.
Problems ahead...
https://www.tvnet.lv/8400822/jauniesu-karjeras-izveles-nesakrit-ar-tautsaimniecibas-attistibas-vajadzibam-liecina-aptauja
At the same time, interest in sectors considered essential for economic growth and competitiveness has fallen. Compared with the previous year, young people's interest in business, finance, economics and information and communication technologies, fields where growing demand for labour is forecast in future, has declined.
https://www.kem.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/uzsakta-vides-apzinas-un-ilgtspejiga-dzivesveida-veicinasanas-projektu-istenosana
With funding from the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, project implementation has begun under two project competitions – the “Promoting Public Environmental Awareness in the Media” activity and the “Implementing Educational Activities on an Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle” activity.
A little on modern politics
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/viedokli/latvija/bez-_progresivajiem_-saruna-nebija-tik-asa-14346762
We are now seeing problems building up in the Saeima's National Economy Committee too, where a great many issues are stuck and not moving forward. For example, the question of cartels has now come up in public debate – that they need to be criminalised.
https://nra.lv/neatkariga/komentari/bens-latkovskis/512046-karnija-davosas-runa-vai-latvija-dzivo-pagatne.htm
...the main elements of this new political fashion are becoming ever clearer. It is marked by pointed shamelessness, undisguised bravado, and direct, sharp, unpolished language. Whatever's on your mind ends up on your tongue. There's no point dwelling on the consequences. Action is what's needed.
https://www.politico.eu/article/norway-pm-store-says-us-trump-peace-prize-snub-for-greenland-ambitions/
American president says his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize has shifted his focus, as he ramps up bid to take over huge Arctic island.
https://www.tvnet.lv/8399630/video-aiz-priekskara-tramps-kremlim-pasniedzis-tadu-davanu-par-kadu-baidena-laika-krievija-neuzdrosinajas-pat-sapnot
Russian propagandists are using the current chaotic global situation to cynically present themselves as defenders of international order and law. Namely, that the Kremlin is merely pursuing its self-evident national security interests in Ukraine.
Agriculture
https://www.llka.lv/aktualitates/eiropas-lauksaimnieku-mobilizacijas-ii-celiens-6000-lauksaimnieku-pieprasa-konkretu-es-ricibu-partikas-nodrosinajuma-aizsardzibai/5455/
In the context of especially strained market conditions, with farmers caught in a price squeeze between rising fertiliser and input costs and falling incomes, the EU sorely lacks a clear vision and direction for agriculture and its future.
https://inc-baltics.com/ep-iesalde-mercosur-darijumu-un-ludz-to-izvertet-es-tiesai-parasti-sada-veida-procedura-aiznem-18-24-menesus-kas-vel-var-notikt/
...opponents of the agreement fear that it will let genetically modified food into the EU, especially meat, which on top of that is cheaper. As a result, EU producers will lose their competitiveness on the domestic market. The matter will now have to be examined by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Hunting
https://www.vmd.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/pagarinata-staltbriezu-un-meza-cuku-dzinejmedibu-sezona-0
The State Forest Service has extended the red deer and wild boar drive-hunting season until 15 February and has eased conditions for red deer hunting. The decision was taken to reduce damage caused by red deer and to curb the spread of African swine fever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZZYkQRzVg4
How to tell a wolf's paw print from a dog's. Wolves are not afraid of populated areas. Forest News #22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4OdUHKXcKg
Are lynx coming into the yard? People need to adapt to living alongside large carnivores. Forest News #21
Investigation and results
https://www.medibam.lv/tiesas-amatpersonu-ricibas-un-bezdarbibas-sekas-pabeigta-izmeklesana-bauskas-nogalinato-sunu-lieta
The investigation into the case of three dogs shot dead in Bauska Municipality has been concluded. The State Police handed the case over to the prosecutor's office today. Investigators have concluded – the tragic outcome is a direct consequence of officials' actions and inaction.
Environment
https://jauns.lv/raksts/zinas/692553-kuram-sugam-latvija-draud-izzusana-izdod-jaunu-latvijas-sarkano-gramatu
...the most comprehensive and up-to-date scientific overview in recent decades of species in the country that are rare, endangered or already lost, which will give the public, policymakers and those involved in nature conservation an understanding of the status of these species in Latvia and help promote their conservation.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/izdod-jaunu-latvijas-sarkano-gramatu
On 22 January the new edition of the Latvian Red Data Book was formally launched at the University of Latvia's House of Science. It is the most comprehensive and up-to-date scientific overview in recent decades of species in the country that are rare, endangered or already lost, which will give the public, policymakers and those involved in nature conservation an understanding of the status of these species in Latvia and help promote their conservation.
https://www.latma.lv/izlaida-280-putnus-palika-tikai-25-niderlandes-rubenu-glabsanas-projekta-realitate/
In the wild in the Netherlands, black grouse are currently found in only one place – Sallandse Heuvelrug. The species has already disappeared from the rest of the country. Since 2013 the province of Overijssel has carried out black grouse reintroductions on several occasions, bringing in a total of 280 birds over eleven rounds.
https://zz.lv/projekti/projekts-novadu-aktualitates/lacenes-noklust-petama-objekta-goda/
...scientists will study how cloudberries can be grown on reclaimed peat bogs, with solar panels installed above them as well.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/12.01.2026-kapec-valmieras-novada-domes-deputats-arnitis-biede-ar-cietumsodu-par-ipasuma-atrastiem-latvaniem-vai-kailgliemeziem.a629452/
The Ministry stressed the significant harm involved and explained that in each case the competent authorities would assess it individually. The Ministry of Justice, however, received criticism for the regulation being too broad.
Current affairs in cartoons
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-mierina-par-miera-premiju.37164
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/samudzinatais-algu-sektors-14346861
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/izglitibas-caurumi-14346749