At the same time, the company stresses that the current situation is worrying. The trade deficit – the difference between the value of food Sweden imports and the value it exports – amounts to SEK 88 billion and continues to grow. This highlights both a significant untapped potential and Sweden’s vulnerability in times of crisis or war.
“Only half of the food we eat is produced within the country. We need to increase domestic food production, and the path forward lies in greater competitiveness and a growing market for Swedish food,” says Per Arfvidsson, Executive Vice President of Lantmännen.
Lantmännen welcomes the clear growth ambition across the entire sector – both plant-based and animal – but emphasizes that the business community has set even higher targets than those currently proposed. Reversing the trade deficit will require increased investment throughout the entire food value chain.
In recent years, Lantmännen has invested more than SEK 3 billion in the food value chain and continues to maintain strong ambitions going forward. The company looks forward to continued collaboration and to actively contributing to strengthening Sweden’s food production and exports.
For more information, please contact:
Lantmännen's Press Office
Tel: +46 10 556 88 00
E-mail: press@lantmannen.com