RIGA, Aug 18 (LETA) - In the first half of 2021 manufacturing companies based in Latvia's southwestern port city Liepaja raised their production output by 14 percent or EUR 23.4 million against the same period a year ago as they adapted to restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the local government informed LETA, citing data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). 

In the first half of this year, the Liepaja-based companies manufactured EUR 190.4 million worth of products, making up 4.4 percent of Latvia's overall production output. In the six months Liepaja sold EUR 193 million worth of products, which is an increase of 14.1 percent  or EUR 23.8 million against the respective period a year ago. 

The bulk of the Liepaja-made products, or 78 percent, was exported to foreign countries. Liepaja's exports grew by 19.7 percent or EUR 24.6 million year-on-year to EUR 149.6 million. Meanwhile, domestic sales dropped 1.7 percent or EUR 0.8 million to EUR 43.4 million in the first six months of this year. 

A comparison of the manufacturing output of Latvia's largest cities shows that in the first half of 2021 Liepaja achieved the second highest manufacturing output and turnover after Riga.