Republic of Latvia

The ties between the Brazilian and Latvian peoples began in 1890, with the introduction of Latvian immigration in Brazil. Brazil recognized Latvian independence for the first time in 1921 and did so again in 1991, after the dissolution of the USSR. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. The Embassy of Brazil in Stockholm is responsible for representing Brazil before the Latvian government and monitoring the interests of the Brazilian community in the country.

The official visits to Brazil by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga (2007) and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (2011) represented milestones in the bilateral relationship. In 2012, Chancellor Edgars Rinkevics was in Brazil for the high-level meeting of the Partnership for Open Government. In 2010, the then Minister of the Brazilian Secretariat of Ports, Pedro Brito, visited the Port of Riga. It was the first visit by a high-level Brazilian official to Latvia.

Trade between Brazil and Latvia has expanded considerably over the past two years, driven by high exports. In 2019, trade amounted to $89.5 million. Brazil exported $75.4 million and imported $14.2 million. The main products on the Brazilian export basket are inorganic chemicals, food, and coffee. On the imports list, fuels, machines, and fertilizers stand out.

It is estimated that more than three thousand Latvians emigrated to Brazil in the 20th century, settling down mainly in Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo states. The Brazilian population of Latvian origin is around 25 thousand people – the largest community in South America and one of the largest in the world.

Latvia has three honorary consuls in Brazil, in Brasilia, Natal, and São Paulo. Brazil, in turn, maintains an honorary consul in Riga.

Chronology of bilateral relations