LAIMA is Latvia’s best-known chocolate and confectionery brand, with a heritage dating back to 1870. Headquartered in Riga, Latvia, the brand is recognized as one of the country’s national icons and is closely associated with premium chocolate, candies, marshmallows, biscuits, and seasonal confectionery. Today, LAIMA is owned by the Norwegian consumer goods group Orkla and operates under Orkla Latvija. 23

• Brand Name: LAIMA
• Founded: 1870 (brand officially established in 1925)
• Industry: Confectionery
• Headquarters: Riga, Latvia
• Parent Company: Orkla Latvija (part of Orkla Group)
• Products: Chocolate, candy, pralines, biscuits, marshmallows, toffee, seasonal sweets
• Markets: Latvia and more than a dozen international markets
• Official Website: laima.lv

Origins (1870–1925)

LAIMA traces its roots to Theodor Riegert’s confectionery company, founded in 1870 in Riga. During the late nineteenth century, Riegert’s factory became one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the Baltic region and the Russian Empire.

Following World War I and Latvia’s independence, several chocolate manufacturers merged and reorganized. In 1925, a new joint-stock company named LAIMA was established, marking the beginning of the modern brand. The name “Laima” comes from the Latvian goddess of fate and happiness in Baltic mythology. 12

Growth and National Symbol

Throughout the 1930s, LAIMA became Latvia’s leading chocolate producer.

One of its most recognizable symbols is the LAIMA Clock in central Riga. Originally installed in 1924, it was branded with the LAIMA logo in 1936 and has since become one of the city’s best-known landmarks. 2

Soviet Period

Following Latvia’s incorporation into the Soviet Union, the company was nationalized. During the Soviet era, LAIMA specialized in producing chocolate and sugar confectionery for markets across the USSR, becoming one of the most recognized confectionery brands in the region. 12

Modern Era

After Latvia regained independence, LAIMA underwent privatization and restructuring.

Major milestones include:

• 2000 – Became part of the Staburadze group.
• 2008 – NP Foods was established to strengthen Baltic operations.
• 2014 – LAIMA joined the Norwegian Orkla Group.
• 2016 – Brand identity was modernized while maintaining its historic heritage.
• 2021 – Chocolate production moved to a new, €20 million manufacturing facility in Ādaži, near Riga. 23

LAIMA manufactures more than 200 confectionery products, including:

• Milk chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• Filled chocolates
• Pralines
• Assorted chocolate boxes
• Caramel candies
• Fruit candies
• Marshmallows (Zefīrs)
• Wafer products
• Biscuits
• Seasonal Christmas and Easter sweets

Many recipes have remained largely unchanged for decades, making several products household favorites in Latvia. 2

Some of LAIMA’s best-known products include:

• Serenāde
• Vāverīte
• Rigonda
• Prozit
• Asorti
• Ekstra
• Piena Chocolate
• Krējuma Chocolate
• Maigums marshmallows

These products are widely regarded as classics of Latvian confectionery. 2

Since 2021, LAIMA’s primary production has been carried out at its modern manufacturing facility in Ādaži, Latvia. The factory features energy-efficient production lines and a product development laboratory supporting new product innovation. 2

LAIMA positions itself as a brand that combines:

• Traditional recipes
• Latvian heritage
• Premium chocolate craftsmanship
• Modern food production technologies

Its branding emphasizes nostalgia, quality, and national pride. The company frequently highlights its long history and cultural significance in Latvia. 12

LAIMA is widely regarded as one of Latvia’s most iconic consumer brands.

Notable cultural associations include:

• The famous LAIMA Clock in Riga, a popular meeting point.
• The LAIMA Chocolate Museum, opened in 2013, showcasing the history of chocolate-making in Latvia.
• Sponsorship of cultural events and charitable initiatives, including annual holiday gift campaigns for children. 12

LAIMA products are sold throughout Latvia and exported internationally. According to the company, the brand’s products are available in multiple countries, while Orkla Latvija exports its brands to more than 30 countries overall. 12

Recent investments have focused on:

• Modern, energy-efficient manufacturing
• Improved product quality
• Research and development facilities
• Expanded export capabilities

The company continues to introduce new products while preserving traditional recipes. 12

Today, LAIMA is a flagship confectionery brand within Orkla Latvija, which is part of the Norwegian Orkla Group, a leading branded consumer goods company in the Nordic and Baltic regions. 3

With more than 150 years of history, LAIMA remains Latvia’s most recognizable chocolate brand and one of the country’s strongest consumer trademarks. Its combination of historical heritage, iconic products, and continued investment in modern production has helped it maintain a leading position in the Baltic confectionery market. 23

1. Laima | Par mums
2. Laima (confectioner)
3. About us – Orkla Latvija