Lithuania has always been famous for exporting agricultural products, from cereals to butter, cheese and bacon. But nowadays, the range of products in demand has expanded considerably, as has the geography.

Lithuanian food products reach every continent, thanks to the skill of Lithuanians, their deep farming traditions, and their relatively favourable climate and soil. Exports to countries as far afield as Japan and the United Arab Emirates have almost doubled. 

And the Ministry of Agriculture (MAA) is contributing to this by helping Lithuanian produce find new markets and expand existing ones.

Development in priority markets

„The Ministry continuously strives to ensure that Lithuania is known worldwide for its exports of higher value-added food products, and that new, most promising export markets outside the EU open up for Lithuanian products.

Thus, taking into account the positive impact of export development on Lithuania's economy and increasing its resilience to geopolitical challenges, the Ministry is actively seeking to diversify and increase the exports of Lithuanian agriculture and food industry," says Vytenis Tomkus, Vice-Minister of Agriculture.

He said that particular attention is being paid to expansion to priority markets such as the USA, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific region. 

„We are pleased that despite the geopolitical challenges, bilateral trade with our main export partners in agricultural products, food and beverages of Lithuanian origin has maintained a stable growth trend“, – noted the Vice-Minister.

The MoFA estimates that in 2023, compared to 2021, exports of agricultural and food products to Japan will increase by 107.8 per cent, the United Kingdom by 22.4 per cent, the United States by 16.1 per cent, the United Arab Emirates by 89.4 per cent, Germany by 19.3 per cent, and Ukraine by 47.8 per cent.

„The reasons for this growth are not only the high quality of Lithuanian products, but also the result of several years of consistent efforts to strengthen trade relations, participate in exhibitions and carry out other export promotion activities in order to attract the attention of consumers in partner countries“, – V. Tomkus emphasized.

From the United Arab Emirates to Japan

Lithuanian agricultural and food products are currently exported to more than 150 countries around the world.

„MAFF supports exporting companies and their participation in export promotion activities. This not only promotes Lithuania's name as a food-producing country, but also establishes important new contacts that later turn into successful business deals.

In order to maintain a strong position in global markets and to expand investments, we are adding value through the multifaceted development of bilateral relations,

He welcomed the recent conclusion of a new contract with a Lithuanian beer producer by a Japanese trading company. A prototype of a Lithuanian beer factory is being built there, targeting the luxury restaurant market. Later on, the plan is to expand the number of breweries to 11 across Asia.

Exports of ice cream to Japan in industrial quantities will also start this year. In addition, in 2023, exports of highly mineralised water will begin for the first time to Japan, both under the Lithuanian brand and in a major supermarket under private label. 

Cooperation with the United Arab Emirates is being expanded, with the transfer of Lithuanian best practices in the field of national clusters.

„We are promoting international relations and discovering new markets by sharing knowledge and scientific expertise on the development of healthy, safe, functional and organic food and beverage products“, – explained V. Tomkus.

Supports participation in exhibitions and fairs

The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated almost EUR 750,000 in support for export promotion activities. This year, up to EUR 800 thousand is planned to be granted to co-finance export promotion activities successfully implemented by Lithuanian food companies.

It aims to help food industry companies to establish themselves in already opened export markets by promoting the export of higher value-added products, opening new markets or niches for their sales, and creating a positive image of Lithuanian products in foreign countries.

The MAFF envisages relevant initiatives and activities directly related to the promotion of the export of agricultural and food products of Lithuanian origin and to raising the profile of national food products in the world.

To this end, participation in major international food and beverage exhibitions, as well as outbound and inbound business missions, are organised with the support of „Litfood“. 

2023–2024 outbound business missions to USA, Korea, Singapore, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia. Incoming business missions: from Japan, UAE, USA, Germany, Taiwan, Qatar, Armenia, Azerbaijan.

Webinars, seminars and other events are also organised to help Lithuanian companies to get acquainted with target markets and potential business partners, to search for target contacts for a specific sector of the food industry (dairy, meat, beverages, organic products, etc.).

Exporter feedback

„We are delighted with the feedback from exporters, which confirms that companies are very positive about the export promotion activities we organise. 

„Companies underline that these initiatives provide real benefits in expanding business relations, help them to present their products more effectively in new markets and to establish long-term cooperation contacts with foreign partners“, – says Antanas Venckus, Head of the International Affairs and Export Promotion Division of the MAF.

According to him, exporters also emphasize the opportunity to get to know international consumers' needs better and ensure competitiveness in a global context.

The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that Lithuanian products will account for the largest share (74%) of all agricultural and food exports in 2023. Compared to 2019, this share of exports has increased by almost 42%.

„We focus on promoting not only the highest possible value-added, but also exports of Lithuanian-origin agri-food products. We are proud that our country is becoming more and more famous for products of Lithuanian origin, which are not only processed but also grown in Lithuania.

This provides an opportunity to preserve and create new jobs in the agricultural and food industry sectors, and to maintain efficient primary production in Lithuania," commented Mr Venckus.

He said that over the last few years, with the support of the State Food and Veterinary Service, many new export markets have been opened for the most important export products of the agricultural and food industry. 

The US has expanded its list of meat and meat product categories, opened a market for egg exports, and is working on export permits for wheat for consumption. 

The age limit for bulls exported to Japan has been lifted, and the market has been opened for beef offal, while in Taiwan for cereals, eggs, dairy and fish products, beef and beef products and procedures are underway for the export of liquid eggs and poultry meat. 

Dairy products and poultry meat can be exported to South Korea, and authorisation procedures have been launched for chicken and egg products.

Veterinary certificates for the export of egg products to SA, poultrymeat and meat products to Sakartvel, poultrymeat and semi-finished meat products to Albania and composite products to Bosnia and Herzegovina have also been harmonised.

The value of agricultural and food exports has been growing even as exports from other sectors have been declining, increasing by 26% between 2020 and 2023 to reach almost €8 billion. In 2023, the value of agri-food products in the structure of Lithuania's exports has increased, reaching almost 20% of the country's total merchandise exports.