Swedish companies shone largely with their absence at Nordic Organic Food Fair. But the representation from other countries was all the greater.
This year's fair is the largest to date since it opened for the first time in 2012 and interest in organic products and the organic market is growing. Companies from all over Europe were present. The Danish stand with 22 companies dominant Nordic Organic Food Fair, where 76 of the 200 companies present presented new products. Only a handful of Swedish companies gathered under Krav's stand. Nevertheless, trust in Swedish eco-production is great, which is not least emphasized by Organic Sweden, a newly formed organization of players in the industry that will promote growth and exports of Swedish eco-products.
900 million left
The goal is to have an eco-export of approximately SEK 2 billion by 2020. Today, according to a new survey, Organic Sweden and Krav made approximately SEK 1,1 billion, compared to SEK 700 million in 2015. This constitutes 2,4 percent of total Swedish food exports, which, excluding re-exported Norwegian salmon, amount to SEK 47,5 billion.
- But you must not over-interpret the figure. There are no official statistics on organic exports or imports and our figures are based on telephone interviews with some major companies, says Charlotte Bladh André from Organic Sweden.
And the product group that dominates Swedish exports of organic food is a dubious Swedish product, because it is coffee.
Biofuel exports a century ago
Then it does not feel like anything has happened in 100 years when Swedish oat exports to the US accounted for the majority of Swedish agricultural exports, as biofuel for American horses. Today, organic grain, mainly oats to the United States, is the second largest export product, according to Organic Swedens and Krav's investigation. However, it is unclear whether the organic oats can be used as horse feed.
The largest Swedish export markets are the Nordic ones, followed by the German market. France, China and the United Kingdom are considered to be future interesting markets. Growth for organic food globally is seen at 10 percent per year with China at the top with an expected growth of 25 percent followed by France with 21 percent.
Jerry Simonsson, ATL - Lantbrukets Affärstidning