How to grow food exports?
An annual conference of Lithuanian diplomats and special economic attachés is held in Vilnius. 88 Lithuanian representatives working in 41 countries, together with representatives of business, export and investment promotion agencies and companies, discussed how to better represent the country's economic interests abroad. In parallel, a Contacts Fair took place, where diplomats met with more than 30 Lithuanian food industry companies.
Despite the geopolitical challenges, the value of agricultural and food exports has maintained a steady growth trend, increasing by 25% between 2021 and 2024 to almost EUR 8 billion. In 2024, the value of agri-food products in Lithuania's export structure increased to almost 20% of the country's total merchandise exports. As much as 80% of agricultural and food exports were of Lithuanian origin.
A. Venckus, Head of International Relations and Export Promotion, stressed that in order to maintain the positive trends in export development, close cooperation between the country's institutions, business associations and companies is needed. As competitive pressures and instability in the world are on the rise, the rapid diffusion of export destinations is an important priority for the Government.
In the context of market diversification, exports to priority markets have been increased in 2024: the US, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific region. For example, in 2024, compared to 2021, exports to Germany increased by 29%, Poland by 48%, Ukraine by 69%, Japan by 94% and the United Arab Emirates by as much as 208%.
„We aim to increase the export volumes of the Lithuanian agriculture and food industry and to strengthen its competitiveness and position in international markets. Lithuania's agricultural and food self-sufficiency is very high compared to many countries in the world, so it is important to maintain active processing and export activities. The dense network of diplomatic representation contributes significantly to the development of business relations, and close cooperation between businesses and diplomats has been taking place for many years, with tangible results. Today's contact fair, where representatives of companies have the opportunity to talk directly with representatives of diplomatic missions, is an important step in increasing mutual trust and involving diplomats working in the field of economy more closely in joint activities to strengthen the position of Lithuanian food products in international markets," said the Head of International Relations and Export Promotion.Lithuania exports agricultural and food products to 156 countries around the world, with Latvia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Estonia and Italy as its main export partners. The main exports are dairy and dairy products, fish and shellfish, beverages, animal feed, meat and meat offal.
Continuing the tradition of visiting business communities in Lithuanian regions, this year Lithuanian diplomats visited Kruonis HPP, Northway Biotech BIO CITY, Europe's largest biotechnology city, and the biotechnology company „Caszyme“ as well as other Lithuanian companies.
Lithuanian diplomatic economists' congresses have been held in Lithuania since 2000.
