2014 as assessed by the association "Farmers' Parliament"

As every year, this year too, the association "Farmers' Council" evaluated the outgoing year - 2014 and summarized the most important events of the year in agriculture in 10 nominations.

PRIDE OF THE YEAR.Latvian farmers who grow, develop and take their place among other European farmers with their work, determination, courage and achievements. Excellent examples of this are the agricultural cooperative "Mežacīruļi", which this year won the competition "Farmer of the Year in the Baltic Sea Region", the agricultural cooperative "Vecsiljāņi" conquers Latvia and Europe with its cheese "Ievas siers", and the products of SIA "Very Berry" are increasingly popular outside Latvia.

This year, several 225m long "Panamax" class ships departed from the port of Liepāja, arriving with 40,000 tons of grain at a time.

THE BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR. At the beginning of the summer, the unrest in Ukraine seemed far away and unaffecting us, but at the end of the summer, Latvian farmers were also directly “hit.” First, the vegetable, fruit, and dairy sectors felt it, but in general, all agricultural sectors felt it. Under the influence of the Russian embargo, the purchase price of milk decreased by 25% over more than five months. Vegetable prices decreased significantly, on average by 30% (carrots 45%, onions 42%, cabbage 24%, beets 18%, and potatoes 38%), as a result of which the industry is currently at or even below the survival limit.

In addition to the restrictions imposed by Russia, the pig farming industry was disrupted by African Swine Fever, which was detected on the Latvian-Belarusian border on June 26, leaving the greatest impact on farms in Latgale and Vidzeme.

ANNUAL CROP. After the prolonged frost, more than 70% of the sown winter crops were lost. There were also farms that had to re-sow all crops completely. As a result, many farmers had to make crucial decisions about re-sowing their fields, find seed and significantly re-plan the entire season during the short and busy spring season.

COOPERATION OF THE YEAR. Our cooperatives are entering the next level – not only farmers, but also cooperatives are able to cooperate. A great example of this is the entry of the grain cooperative LPKS “Latraps” into the dairy processing company “Latvijas Piens” owned by milk producers’ cooperatives.

THE JOY OF THE YEAR IN POLITICS. Minister of Agriculture Laimdota Straujuma becomes Prime Minister and retains this high position in the new government.

ANNUAL MOVEMENT. The turmoil of the year has also created the year's "positive movement", as products produced by Latvian farmers, thanks to the "Latvijas Labums" campaign, are becoming visible in Latvian stores. "Latvijas Labums" is not a short-term campaign, but it is a long-term thinking that unites more than 150 partners throughout Latvia and will ensure the promotion of Latvian products in the future.

ANNUAL NEWS. Land is one of Latvia's most important resources. We have been working all year to ensure that agricultural land is used for its intended purpose – for the production of agricultural products and ends up in the hands of farmers who honestly cultivate this land and are able to provide added value to the national economy. We will continue this work in the new year.

THE JOY OF THE YEAR. In Latvia, the area of crops and the total number of cows continue to increase, which proves the development of the agricultural sector.

YEAR OF DISTRUST IN FARMERS. At the very end of the year, the Cabinet of Ministers decided that agricultural tractors will now have to run on dyed diesel fuel. Excise-free diesel fuel limits have already been set for farms, which act as a control mechanism. The new decision also introduces fuel dyeing, which imposes additional costs on individual farmers, fuel traders, and the state as a whole. We are wondering who will pay for these costs – only farmers or all fuel users in Latvia?

2015 COMMITMENT. Not to relax and continue the work we have started, to follow the legislative processes in Latvia and Europe. We undertake to actively participate in the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in the new planning period, both by explaining the new requirements and opportunities to members and supporting them, and by coming up with our own proposals for policymaking in Latvia and Europe.