foreign agricultural service gain report global agriculture information network required public distribution date 2 4 2003 lg3001 latvia retail food sector 2002 approved by lana bennett counselor us embassy stockholm prepared jolanta andersone marketing specialist highlights successful economic development continued in 2001 as gdp surged 7 6 percent the greatest growth among baltic countries with consumer purchasing power on rise and growing tourism prospects for increased demand high value imports are viewed favorable rapid expansion of large nordic european chains into offer new opportunities exporters who can successfully connect them hopes to finalize eu accession negotiations end this year join union 2004 major current constraints exports products include unfamiliarity consumers grocery tariff disadvantages vis a suppliers s partners free trade agreements includes psd changes no matrix annual sw1 lg table contents section i market summary page 1 11 advantages challenges facing ii road map entry
