There are many different markets in the Riga Metropolitan Region. Size varies from one-table marketplace to several hectares large Riga Central Market with thousands of stands.
Riga Central Market (Latvian: Rīgas Centrāltirgus) is Europe's largest market and bazaar in Riga, Latvia. It is one of the most notable structures from the 20th century in Latvia and was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list together with Old Riga in 1998. It was planned from 1922 and built from 1924 to 1930. The main structures of the market are five pavilions constructed by reusing old German Zeppelin hangars and incorporating Neoclassicism and Art Deco styles. The market is 72,300 square metres (778,000 sq ft) wide with more than 3,000 trade stands. The joint stock company Rīgas Centrāltirgus is currently owned by the Riga municipality. Riga Central Market includes five pavilions for interior trade of meat, milk products, and fish. One of the pavilions was recently renovated as a hall for catering. Exterior part of the Riga Central Market features a peasants' market with many vegetable stands. Unfortunately, it is hard to find produce grown in Latvia recently, imported vegetables and fruits are taking over the market.
There are other older historical markets in Riga city: Matīsa tirgus and Āgenskalna tirgus. Those originate from the beginning of the 20th century. Pavilions of those markets were designed by the famous latvian architect of german origin Reinholds Schmeling. Matīsa tirgus is located in the central part of Riga. Āgenskalna tirgus is located on the left bank of river Daugava, in the center of Āgenskalns neighbourhood. Matīsa market has been inactive recently, Agenskalns market has been revived in the past two years. Āgenskalns market nowadays is a private development of a city-owned market, run by progressive and socially engaged entrepreneurs that promote local agricultural produce and aims to improve the image of the market as a cultural and social phenomenon of the city. Its total area is 8433 sq. m., of which 5612 sq. m. is indoor selling area. Site used as a market since the late 19th century, the building was completed in 1914. In January 2018 Riga CIty Council decides to close the market due to bad technical condition. In an open procurement procedure a company “Kalnciema kvartāls” is granted the right to renovate, rent and manage the market for next thirty years. While renovating the building, market square opened in August 2018. This market represents an attempt to realise a major renovation and management of one of the largest markets in Riga as a public-private partnership. The private partner already had experience in market management and place-making—the managing company owns and runs Kalnciema market in close vicinity to Agenskalna market, that has created a strong identity to its neighbourhood and become a very popular attraction place over the years. Development strategy of the Agenskalns market includes mixing of functions (cultural, recreational, co-working etc. next to the market), visually separating local produce from imported, as well as implementing social entrepreneurship principles. All these initiatives are aimed at maintaining and strengthening the role of this market as a centre of the larger neighbourhood.
In each neighbourhood, there are local markets with tens of trade stands. These are located at the major spots like public transportation stops, or shape local centrality of their own. These markets usually are pavilion type, and thus operate all year long. Location and longevity of operation is perhaps the only factor which allows neighbourhood markets to compete with supermarkets—local markets existed long before the arrival of supermarkets and thus residents are accustomed to shop there. Each market offers meat, fish, local and imported vegetables and fruit, as well as clothing and other goods.
There are smaller marketplaces scattered around the city. Such marketplaces consist of one to several trade spots. These marketplaces are located at the entrances to supermarkets, public transportation stops or at major road intersections. The smallest marketplaces could be found in places close to the residents of a certain neighbourhood. A single trade spot is a lorry or a passenger car from which trade is taking place.
There are few markets in which local produce could be bought and only one market where organic produce is available. This market is Kalnciema tirgus, a weekly market located in Āgenskalns neighbourhood on the left bank of river Daugava in Rīga. This market is located in the block of wooden buildings, located near a busy street which connects the center of Riga with the airport. For many years, Kalnciema market is a venue for concerts, fairgrounds, and market for local producers. The market has become a driver for gentrification of the whole area of Agenskalns neighbourhood. Kalnciema market is not the cheapest market in Riga, but it offers high quality and organic produce from Latvia.