Sweden lacks food preparedness and this has consequences, including increased concern about food shortages during crisis and war among Swedes. And the concern is justified. Today, only half of the food we eat is produced in Sweden. This so-called self-sufficiency rate of 50 percent is significantly lower than in Finland and Denmark, for example.
The underlying degree of self-sufficiency is actually even lower as Swedish agriculture is completely dependent on imports of mineral fertilizers and fuel. If our supply chains are disrupted and imports are hampered, we are thus significantly more vulnerable than our neighbours.
At the same time, surveys show that almost all Swedes think that Sweden should have a self-sufficiency rate of at least 80 percent. These are not radical demands, but reasonable expectations of a country with good soils, an innovative food industry and world-class agriculture. Still, every second bite is imported.
We are in a geopolitical situation where our supply capacity is part of our security policy and our total defence. At the same time, despite years of pandemic and war in Europe, we still have no clear growth in the Swedish food sector and no emergency stocks for either grain, agricultural inputs or other supplies.
But the government has a plan ahead. The recently presented Food Strategy 2.0 is a powerful growth strategy and shows insight into problems as well as suggestions and ambitions for improvements. It is an ambitious strategy, but now the most important thing remains – to make the proposals a reality through practical action. There is the ability and will in the business community, but we lack sufficient private-public collaboration and the ability to act on the part of politicians and authorities. It is not enough to point to investigations and strategies, concrete measures are needed that make a difference at farm level, in the food industry and in society as a whole.
We are approaching investments in military defense equivalent to five percent of GDP – three-digit billion amounts that are necessary and important. But the defense of Sweden cannot only be about military capacity. A robust total defence requires that we can also supply our population with food – regardless of what happens in the outside world. It is difficult to defend the country hungry.
It's not just the worry that is increasing – the frustration is also increasing. A survey shows that most Swedes think that the media reports too little about the country's food preparedness. A strong supply and preparedness not only requires political decisions and investments, it also requires anchoring and understanding throughout society.
Strong and robust food preparedness always starts with profitable agriculture, strong food production and increased awareness among consumers. With growth in the food sector at the same time as consumers choose Swedish, we are not only strengthening our food production – we are strengthening all of Sweden's crisis preparedness.
If we – politicians, industry and consumers – understand the problem, agree on the solutions and act accordingly, we can together create stronger food preparedness. We are prepared to take our responsibility, but at the same time resources and decisiveness are required from our politicians.
Per Arfvidsson, Deputy CEO at Lantmännen
Alarik Sandrup, Head of Industrial Policy at Lantmännen
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