From: Baltic News Network
The volume of contraband cigarettes in Latvia remains constantly high – reaching 30.5% of the total market volume. Every third cigarette smoked in Latvia was carried to the country illegally, without paying excise and VAT. Losses caused by this reach EUR 100 million.
The highest proportion of contraband cigarettes is in Daugavpils, where it reaches 70.3%, followed by Kuldiga (50%) and Kraslava (42.3%), according to the recent market survey by AC Nielsen.
Compared to Q4 2013, the total volume of contraband cigarettes has increased in the country by 0.6%.
96.5% of contraband cigarettes have come from Russia and Belarus.
