Consumer prices in Latvia increased by 0.2% in February compared with January, while annual inflation fell to 2.3%, down from 2.9% a month earlier, according to data released by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
At the same time, the average consumer price level over the past 12 months rose by 3.6% compared with the previous 12-month period.
The largest influence on price changes in February 2026 compared with January came from transport (+0.2 percentage points), recreation, sports and culture (+0.1), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+0.1), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+0.1). Meanwhile, food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.1) and personal care and various goods and services (-0.1) had a downward effect on prices.
During the month, prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages fell by 0.6%. The decline was largely driven by promotional discounts, particularly for processed meat products (-3.7%). Prices also dropped for butter (-9.4%), skimmed milk (-5.2%), soft drinks (-6.4%), cheese (-1.1%), smoked or salted meat (-1.6%), other flour confectionery products (-1.2%), and chocolate (-1.3%). Lower prices were also recorded for pork (-1.4%), olive oil (-7%), fruit and vegetable juices (-3.1%), and potatoes (-3.9%).
However, some products became more expensive, including fresh fruit vegetables (+10.7%),
leaf and stem vegetables (+10.1%), smoked or salted fish (+8.7%), spices and herbs (+6.9%), other fresh fruits (+5.7%), and fresh berries (+4.9%).
Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by 1.2% during the month. Cigarette prices rose 6.1%, while alcohol prices fell 1.6% due to promotions for strong alcoholic drinks and wine.
Housing-related costs — including water, electricity, gas and other fuels — increased by 0.4%. The main driver was solid fuel prices (+5.9%), along with higher costs for housing maintenance materials (+1.6%). Electricity prices rose 0.2%, while heating prices decreased slightly by 0.4%.
In the healthcare sector, prices increased 0.6%, largely due to the end of discounts on medicines and higher dental service costs.
Prices in the transport sector increased by 1.7%,
mainly due to fuel price increases (+3.4%). Diesel rose 3.8%, petrol 2.8%, and autogas 0.3%. Passenger air travel and vehicle maintenance services also became more expensive, while tyre prices declined.
Prices for recreation, sports and culture rose 1.2%, mainly due to higher prices for package holidays and garden goods, including plants and flowers. Pet supplies also became more expensive following the end of promotional discounts, while book prices decreased.
Prices for personal care and various goods and services fell 1.3%, mainly because of promotional discounts on personal care products and lower childcare service costs.
Compared with February 2025, the largest impact on annual inflation came from housing-related costs
(+0.9 percentage points) and food and non-alcoholic beverages (+0.7 percentage points). Healthcare added +0.3 percentage points, clothing and footwear +0.2, while transport had a negative contribution (-0.2).
Food prices increased 2.4% year-on-year, with significant rises in coffee (+16.7%), chicken (+12.2%), fresh vegetables (+15.6%), eggs (+18.2%), chocolate (+10.4%), and beef (+23.1%). Prices also rose for smoked fish (+29.9%) and citrus fruits (+19%).
Meanwhile, some products became cheaper, including butter (-19.9%), olive oil (-22.5%), potatoes (-17.2%), and tropical fruits (-11.9%).
Over the past year, housing, utilities and fuel costs increased by 5.3%, driven mainly by higher heating (+4.4%), electricity (+5.1%), water supply (+9.7%), solid fuels (+7.3%), sewage services (+13%), rent (+6.4%), and natural gas (+5.8%). Waste collection and housing maintenance services also became more expensive.
Healthcare costs rose 4.1% year-on-year, including higher prices for outpatient medical services,
dental services, medicines, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services.
In contrast, transport prices fell 1.7% year-on-year, largely due to lower fuel prices (-6.2%), with petrol down 7.8%, diesel 5.4%, and autogas 3.5%.
Prices in information and communication services increased 2.5%, driven by higher costs for streaming subscriptions, telecom packages and mobile services, while computers became cheaper.
Meanwhile, restaurant and hotel services rose 4.4%, including restaurant and café prices (+5.2%) and canteen services (+5.6%). Personal care services, jewellery, and elderly care home fees also increased.
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