RIGA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the country's agricultural sector, effective until Nov. 5, in response to prolonged rainfall and flooding that have severely disrupted this year's harvest.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, extended periods of wet weather since May 2025 have flooded fields across many regions, preventing farm machinery from accessing crops, delaying harvests, and significantly reducing yields.
Cereals, a key Latvian agricultural export, have been hit particularly hard, the ministry said. It warned that failure to fulfill supply contracts could damage the sector's international reputation and harm the country's overall export performance.
Excessive moisture has led to rotting in cereals, legumes, potatoes, and other crops. In many areas, crops have failed to germinate or been damaged by saturated soil. The ministry noted that many farmers with contractual obligations are now unable to meet them, exposing them to legal and financial risks.
The state of emergency allows authorities to implement legal solutions appropriate in force majeure or extraordinary situations.
The State Revenue Service will be able to waive penalties for farmers who are unable to pay taxes on time due to crop losses. Financial institutions, including banks, may also offer relief to affected farmers, such as deferred principal payments, interest renegotiation, and rescheduling without penalties.
