24 September 2024, Sweden: In connection with MSB’s annual Preparedness Week, figures are presented showing that six out of ten Swedes are worried that the country’s food will not be enough for everyone in a crisis situation. At the same time, two out of three want to know more about how they can contribute. This is shown by a new Novus survey commissioned by Lantmännen.
Sweden’s lack of food preparedness – and thus crisis preparedness – is a challenge. Sweden relies on imports as Sweden’s farmers and food actors only produce 50 percent of the country’s food. This so-called self-sufficiency rate can be compared with, for example, Finland’s 80 percent and Denmark’s 150 percent.
Lantmännen’s survey shows that a majority of citizens are worried that there will not be enough food during crises, but at the same time, two out of three want to know more about how consumers can make a difference.
“The fact that we are dependent on imports and that only every second bite is Swedish-produced is an understatement for a country with such good conditions. We have both agriculture and food production at the forefront – with a rare combination of high quality, sustainability and food safety. Sweden has a long and proud history as an export nation, and we can also be so when it comes to food,” says Magnus Kagevik, CEO of Lantmännen.
The many challenges can be turned into opportunities, according to Lantmännen. Swedish food is something we should be proud of, cherish and prioritize. The potential is great.
“Robust food preparedness – and ultimately stronger crisis preparedness – starts with competitive and profitable Swedish agriculture. We have a good dialogue with politicians and if more political decisions and investments are implemented, while at the same time we as a market player actively contribute knowledge and implementation, we will have come a long way. If we can also communicate the value of choosing Swedish and buying farmer-owned, there are all possibilities. In this way, we can together create a stronger crisis preparedness,” concludes Magnus Kagevik.
Sweden’s farmers are what Lantmännen calls “Matvärnet” (Food Defence) in a new initiative with the aim of showing that consumers can influence and be involved in Sweden’s food preparedness by choosing Swedish and farmer-owned. The survey presented today is part of the initiative.
Lantmännen about emergency stocks
Sweden has no reserve stocks of grain, agricultural inputs or other supplies. At the same time, active work is underway in the country’s neighbouring countries to build and increase their emergency stocks, something Lantmännen thinks Sweden should also do. Calculations show that it takes up to ten years to build up emergency stocks of grain for three months, which is why Lantmännen believes that this work needs to start immediately.
Figures from the survey
Six out of ten are worried that Sweden’s food would not be enough for all citizens in a crisis situation
One in four does not know, or do not believe, that they themselves can help raise Sweden’s degree of self-sufficiency
Two out of three want to know more about how citizens can contribute to the country’s self-sufficiency in food
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