Despite the fact that Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and that there has been an armed conflict in eastern Ukraine for eight years, many of us probably experience the Russian invasion of Ukraine as almost inconceivable. Of course, the millions of people in Ukraine are worst affected, but the deteriorating security situation also affects Swedish defense policy and preparedness.

From a contingency perspective, we believe that the principles of organic production have certain obvious advantages. Mainly by being less dependent on inputs such as imported fertilizers and pesticides, but also by generally building on local resources and local cycles of nutrients. According to Eurostat, Russia is the country from which the EU has so far imported the most fertilizer. Of course, the war has consequences for this.

Even before the war in Ukraine began, Swedish food companies struggled with increased production costs for raw materials and energy. And as DN wrote in an article on March 1, food prices will now increase further. In the article, Orkla Sweden states, among other things, that they believe in double-digit price increases for consumers for several of their products in the next six months. Ukraine also justifies the name "Europe's granary". In 2020, Ukraine accounted for as much as 36,5 percent of the volume of EU imports of organic raw materials from non-EU countries. Despite the fact that the situation may thus feel grim for many in the food chain, we hope that the unity demonstrated within the EU and Sweden inspires hope. Sustainable food production and standing up for democracy - what could be more important?

Many also ask themselves what you as a food business owner can do to alleviate the suffering in Ukraine. We then refer to Compilation of food companies of how and what to do.

Solrosen is a Ukrainian national symboll.