Pixelated proximity

Riga is the central part of its metropolitan region and also the most important economic centre of Latvia. Riga has 6 districts and suburbs. It has 3 executive boards and is divided into 58 localities (apkaimes). The city is led by 60 deputies at the Riga City Council. The metropolitan area of Riga contains the surrounding municipalities and also stretches to the South West and North along its main traffic structure. This area is steered by the Riga Greater Planning Authority but Riga city and surrounding municipalities need better coordination and joint strategic planning. Therefore the metropolitan area is not clearly defined. A Greater Riga planning region exists and is steered by all the municipalities that are part of that area. 

Specialisation of Riga as a regional centre is mainly related to the daily commuting of inhabitants of Rigas agglomeration to the metropolis.

Of the total area of 195 658 hectares of organic agricultural land (2012), 51.2% consists of arable land, 45.8 % permanent grassland and grazing areas, and 0.5% is permanent crops. The key arable crops are green fodder from arable land (62 251 hectares), cereals (30 771 hectares) and protein crops (3 299 hectares).

Top-selling products are milk and dairy products (yoghurt, sour cream, cottage cheese). As regards raw material for further processing, the most important products are milk, cereals, potatoes, meat, fruits and berries. Most of the organic products are sold directly, some through small and specialised shops.

The organic logo 'Latvijas ekoprodukts' is owned by the Association of Latvian Organic Agriculture. For non-processed products, 100% of the produce must be grown in Latvia (fruits, vegetables, etc.). Farmers in Latvia receive support under the EU rural development programme. Currently there is no action plan for organic agriculture. However, the national plan has stated a goal of converting 15% of agricultural land to organic by 2015.

Most active in organic farming are small farms with 10-30ha of agriculture land per farm, which makes around half (~50%) of all farms. Most organic farms deal with plan growing while the rest are involved in dairy livestock breeding. Similarly with organic livestock in Latvia that is mostly situated in the East of Latvia. Currently there are no slaughterhouses in Latvia which could slaughter organically.