Industry
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/02.03.2026-iespejama-interesu-konflikta-del-ministrs-maina-akcionara-parstavi-latvijas-valsts-mezos.a636941/
The new representative of the shareholder is Āris Jansons, Director of the Forest Department.
https://www.db.lv/zinas/latvijas-valsts-mezi-valsts-maku-papildinajusi-ar-213-miljoniem-eiro-525441
Although 2025 was, on the whole, a difficult year for both Latvijas valsts meži and the Latvian forest sector because of the situation on international timber markets, in 2025 the company managed not only to significantly increase revenue from timber product sales, but also, by optimising its production processes, to cut costs.
https://www.finieris.com/lv/cvmarket-lv-aptauja-as-latvijas-finieris-labakais-darba-devejs-rupniecibas-un-razosanas-joma/
Our employees are our greatest strength and asset. The fact that the company was named the best employer in the manufacturing sector in this survey confirms our team's contribution, as well as the stable and safe working environment we build together.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7893-paveiktais-2025-lvm-realize-55-7-miljonus-meza-koku-stadu
“Latvijas valsts meži” sold 55.7 million high-quality forest tree seedlings in 2025. Of the total, 30.27 million seedlings were used to restock state forests, while 25.4 million were sold to external customers.
https://tv3.lv/zinas/ekonomika/pikis-un-gevelis/skodas-maybahi-un-tas-sasoditais-kokrupnieku-skandals-pikis-un-gevelis-ciemos-kristaps-klauss/
Most of the conversation, though, is devoted to dissecting the loud scandal of recent months over support for the timber industry – whether or not the government needed to rush to help a sector that was already well off, whether the best solution was chosen and, ultimately – what the consequences of it all will be?
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/01.03.2026-konkurences-padome-sak-lietu-par-latvijas-valsts-mezu-ilgtermina-mezizstrades-ligumiem.a636882/
At the Association of Timber Producers and Traders, the main objections are not to the long-term logging contracts originally concluded, but to the solutions for converting them, which offer certain timber companies sawlogs instead of cutting sites.
https://www.delfi.lv/bizness/55159262/nekustamais-ipasums/120108798/ierosinats-koka-karkasa-maju-razotaja-tiesiskas-aizsardzibas-process
Legal protection proceedings have been initiated against SIA Silver Standart Houses, a producer of energy-efficient timber-frame houses, according to information from the Insolvency Register.
https://nra.lv/ekonomika/latvija/515199-likvidets-kokmaterialu-tirgotajs-sia-palesu-kompanija-latvija.htm
Timber trader SIA Palešu kompānija has been liquidated.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/05.03.2026-tiesa-kadam-virietim-un-vina-uznemumam-piespriez-70-200-eiro-sodu-par-kokmaterialu-ievesanu-no-krievijas.a637556/
While representing a limited liability company and knowing that there is a ban on directly or indirectly purchasing and importing EU-designated goods of Russian origin, the accused bought 50 packages containing 1,260 pieces of glued timber and brought them into Latvia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gygRytee9Yk
Forest News #26
Worth knowing! About upcoming and current events
13 March seminar for hunters at Valmiermuiža “Hunting, society and nature conservation. Control of wild animal populations in Latvia. Problems and solutions”
https://www.lmsp.lv/seminars-13-marta-valmiermuiza-medibas-sabiedriba-un-dabas-aizsardziba-meza-dzivnieku-populaciju-kontrole-latvija-problemas-un-risinajumi
20 March seminar for hunters in Koknese “Hunting, society and nature conservation. The role and functions of the State Forest Service in hunting. Control of wild animal populations in Latvia”
https://www.lmsp.lv/seminars-20-marta-koknese-medibas-sabiedriba-un-dabas-aizsardziba-valsts-meza-dienesta-loma-un-funkcijas-medibu-joma-meza-dzivnieku-populaciju-kontrole-latvija
Until 22 March entry submission for the photo contest My Bird 2026
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/izsludinats-fotokonkurss-mans-putns-2026
Until 22 March anyone interested is invited to watch the historic Vijciems cone-drying kiln in operation
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7883-aicina-verot-ciekuru-zavesanu-vesturiskaja-lvm-vijciema-ciekurkalte
23 March International Day of Forests 2026
More information about the event
28 March apple tree crown-shaping masterclass, volunteer day at Likteņdārzs
More about the volunteer day and masterclass
13-15 May International conference “Education, Innovation and Cooperation for the Future of the Regions” at Malnavas kolēdža
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-02-03/starptautiska-konference-izglitiba-inovacijas-un-sadarbiba-regionu-nakotnei-lbtu
22 and 23 May “Latvian Forest Days”
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7854-latvijas-meza-dienas-tervete-notiks-22-un-23-maija
Garden Days and masterclasses at the Institute of Horticulture in 2026
https://fruittechcentre.eu/lv/article/2025-12-23/darza-dienas-un-meistarklases-darzkopibas-instituta-2026
Survey on wetland restoration
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/lvmi-silava-aicina-zemes-ipasniekus-piedalities-mitraju-atjaunosanas-aptauja
Survey on the coexistence of livestock and wild animals
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/aicinam-piedalities-aptauja-par-majlopu-un-savvalas-dzivnieku-lidzaspastavesanu
Survey on the forthcoming EU strategy for coastal communities
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/aicinam-piedalities-aptauja-par-toposo-es-strategiju-piekrastes-kopienam
Official
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrs-armands-krauze-importa-ierobezojumi-no-krievijas-un-baltkrievijas-devusi-labu-rezultatu-un-tie-noteikti-jaturpina
The Ministry of Agriculture presented the government with an informative report on the impact in Latvia of the ban on bringing in (importing) Russian and Belarusian agricultural and feed products – imports of these goods have decreased significantly.
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/sagatavots-zinojums-par-biologiskas-daudzveidibas-kreditu-sistemas-izstradi
The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development has prepared the report “Developing a Biodiversity Credit System in Latvia: Mechanisms, Scenarios and Preconditions for Implementation”, which brings together international experience and analyses the possibilities for introducing a biodiversity credit system in Latvia.
https://www.vaad.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/izdots-latvijas-republika-registreto-augu-aizsardzibas-lidzeklu-saraksts-2026
The State Plant Protection Service has published its annual edition, List of Plant Protection Products Registered in the Republic of Latvia 2026.
Economy
https://www.db.lv/zinas/geopolitika-un-valdibu-lemumi-parraksta-baltijas-valstu-ni-nozares-noteikumus-525402
Growing geopolitical uncertainty, rising defence investment and intensifying competition for construction resources are increasingly affecting the real estate market in the Baltics, forcing a rethink of both development pace and urban planning approaches.
https://kodols.lv/ekonomika/lu-petijums-latvija-produktivitate-pern-bija-54-1-no-es-videja-limena-200175
According to data from last year’s study, the most productive sectors in Latvia were financial intermediation, real estate activities, and electricity and heat supply, while the sectors with the lowest productivity were education, agriculture, forestry, and health and social care...
https://bauskasdzive.lv/latvija-un-pasaule/ziedu-audzetaji-soziem-lielakais-izaicinajums-bijis-apkures-cenu-kapums/
Inese Raubiško-Reķe, greenhouse manager at the “Kliģeni” farm, said that this winter heating costs have risen by 50-70%, which is a very steep cost increase compared with the same period last year.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/vesture/05.03.2026-vai-zini-ka-viens-no-pirmajiem-latviesu-miljonariem-krisjanis-kergalvis-piedzima-truciga-kalpu-gimene.a636937/
In the late 19th century, Krišjānis Ķergalvis, together with another Latvian building contractor – Pēteris Radziņš – set up one of the largest brickworks in Latvia near Kalnciems. A steamship, the Delfīns, was bought to transport the bricks to Riga.
Science
https://www.db.lv/zinas/video-vajadzigs-tilts-starp-zinatni-un-biznesu-525380
...sector development is closely tied to regional development in Latvia, all the more so given that the most fertile land is not evenly distributed across the country, yet the aim is to raise living standards throughout the country, not just in one particular region or area...
https://kki.lv/aktualitates/izejvielu-cels-ka-strategija-bioekonomikas-risinajumi-polymers-5b-projekta
The choice of specific biological residues (tomato and olive oil pomace, as well as wood by-products – such as black alder bark and lignin fractions) was based on several interrelated criteria...
https://kki.lv/aktualitates/jauna-arms-publikacija-atklaj-ka-alksna-koksne-partop-augstas-veiktspejas-superkondensatoru
Overall, the study demonstrates that high-performance energy storage materials do not necessarily have to rely on rare raw materials or energy-intensive processes.
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-03-03/disciplina-merktieciba-patiesa-interese-tada-ir-lbtu-absolventa-arnolda-pola
As a true patriot of his home town, Arnolds devoted his bachelor's thesis to studying the landscape space of the Ogre lighthouse breakwater.
Hunting
https://www.medibam.lv/redaktores-sleja-linda-dombrovska-mednieki-nav-problema-problema-ir-emocijas-balstiti-lemumi
The year has not started easily for the hunting community. Wolf attacks on hunting dogs, again. Pain, losses and bewilderment, again. And again the phrase is heard in public – it's only a hunting dog, after all, that's a risk you accept.
https://www.medibam.lv/problema-policija-nezina-ka-rikoties-ar-dzivniekiem-mednieki-baidas-klut-par-vainigajiem
Animal welfare issues, including those concerning stray animals, significantly affect hunters too.
https://www.medibam.lv/vai-ragu-vaceji-grauj-ekosistemu-mineralvielu-rezerves-bada-laikiem-vai-vienkarsi-kauls
Antlers shed by roebucks and other deer species are most often eaten by various rodents, as shown by the tooth marks left on antlers found in the forest.
https://kodols.lv/pieriga/saulkrasti/saulkrastos-turpinas-bebru-populacijas-regulesanas-medibas-200177
The hunts are organised at the municipality's request to reduce the damage caused by beavers and to look after residents' safety and the surrounding environment.
Cross-sector plans
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/05.03.2026-rigas-zoodarzu-varetu-pievienot-rigas-meziem.a637613/
Riga National Zoo could be merged with the municipal company Rīgas meži, according to unofficial information obtained by LTV.
Spring
https://videscentrs.lvgmc.lv/jaunumi/390607370
Overall, extensive spring flooding is expected in 2026, since there is a lot of snow in the river basins and the ice thickness on bodies of water is also considerable. In many places the yellow warning-level water marks are likely to be exceeded, and in some places there is also a chance of exceeding the orange and red warning-level water marks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=newx9ixkdzI
Forest News #27
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/darzs-un-majas/06.03.2026-lu-botaniskaja-darza-iestajies-acaliju-pilnzieds.a637688/
The tradition of the azalea collection at the LU Botanical Garden goes back more than half a century. The foundations of the collection were laid in 1956 by Professor Rihards Kondratovičs, who from 1962 to 2017 bred 26 new varieties and built up a unique collection.
https://retalsi.lv/dundagas-pagasta-neveja-modies-lacis/
An impressively large brown bear was spotted in Dundaga parish, near Neveja, on 5 March.
Environment
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/pagarinats-moricsalas-dabas-rezervata-dabas-aizsardzibas-plans-lidz-2029-gada-nogalei
To ensure the continued protection and management of natural values, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development has extended the term of the Moricsala Nature Reserve’s nature conservation plan until 31 December 2029.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7891-rekultiveta-lvm-apsaimniekota-derigo-izraktenu-ieguves-vieta-caunes-2003-g
Land reclamation is an integral part of responsible and sustainable mineral extraction, ensuring that the land is prepared for its next beneficial use.
NGO money, or non-state money
https://inc-baltics.com/55-virs-55-kuras-nvo-ir-lielakas-algas-un-atkariba-no-fondiem/
2023 stood out sharply from other years in that a large share of SIF funds were allocated to supporting refugees from the war in Ukraine, to help them learn Latvian and ease their life in Latvia. Yet here too there were associations that, until then, had had nothing to do with either language training or integration, but suddenly “retrained” themselves for whichever programme happened to be handing out money at the time.
Miscellaneous
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/vesture/05.03.2026-no-atasienes-puisiem-par-zinatniekiem-asv-ka-divi-trimdas-latgaliesi-kluva-starptautiski-pazistami-ar-savam-gramatam.a637498/
It is impossible to say precisely how many people fled Atašiene as refugees, but two people born in this Latgale parish have left a lasting mark on world history with the books they wrote in English.
https://nra.lv/neatkariga/izpete/515169-ka-tris-miljonu-latu-nozagsana-vienreiz-iemacija-zagt-miljardus-eiro-regulari.htm
All the excuses from the investigating authorities about their unwillingness and inability to find out what everyone already knows are covered up by complaints that M. Supe keeps sending them away empty-handed, since he is supposedly a lawyer entitled to keep secrets.
Current events in cartoons
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-pludiem-gatavi.38927
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-vienvirziena-kamapna.39149
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/iepirkumu-izpaligs-14348722
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/lielveikalu-kede-14348913