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The food system and opportunities for the Arctic region

Since food production is the initial focus in building a new cluster of industries working in symbiosis, knowledge and insights around the sector at large are pivotal.

The ability to grow and produce healthy and tasty food with locally sourced inputs, will be increasingly decisive for local and national welfare.

New report: Value Creation in Circular Food Production

At Arctic Food Arena's first co-creation workshop in Gällivare (2024), the need to explore real-life examples to properly understand how circular food production can thrive in the Arctic was emphasized. This led to the creation of this brand-new value chain report that focus on four key areas: greenhouse production, insect farming, aquaponics, and RAS shrimp farming. All four sectors show strong potential for circular value chains in northern Sweden.

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The food system

Food. A basic need, along with water, for all creatures living on this planet. Fuel and joy. A cultural glue.

Effortless access to food is a thing that we, in our part of the world, have long taken for granted. That natural access is now threatened by several and interconnected factors. Climate change, loss of biodiversity, degraded soils, bad water management, geopolitical instability, power concentration, contra productive policies and subsidies, a severe uninterest from the working force, especially the youth. And an increasing demand for cheap food.

The food value chain includes primary production, processing and manufacturing, distribution, consumption and waste management. To achieve sustainability, all sectors need to navigate towards the outcomes of food security, functioning ecosystems, commercially stable businesses and social integration.

Industrial symbiosis

Main drivers of Food Consumption

The ways we consume food are deeply interconnected with our culture. In Sweden we combine a love for our inherited dishes like meatballs and herring with lots of potatoes, and an openness for the international kitchens. Pizza, tacos, Thai food and sushi are nowadays well established in most Swedish households.

The main things that drive sales are habit, price and taste. This becomes obvious in times of rising interest rates, inflation, and instability in the labor market. In relation to transformation, as long as sustainably produced foods are more expensive than unsustainably produced foods, we have a blocker in the system.

For consumers, it is easy to switch from sustainably produced foods to cheaper unsustainably produced foods without changing habits. Even those who are well off, tend to be more cost aware in times of economic downturn. Today, organic sales go down, as do sales of Swedish produce.

Taste is key for success. If a food product doesn’t taste good, it will not be bought. No matter how healthy or sustainable it is. The only thing that makes the consumer give up on taste, is a really low price tag.

Food security & sovereignty

In these volatile times, we need to safeguard our access to food. Not just any food, but nutritious food that brings us health. Food security, and food sovereignty, therefore, needs to be on the agenda. Everything else is too big of a risk. In Sweden this need is stated in the Swedish Food Strategy, alongside a vision of a prosperous Swedish food sector exporting to other markets.

While food security focuses on the availability and accessibility of food, food sovereignty is emphasizing self-determination, power structures and community empowerment in shaping food systems. Both concepts are addressing how to achieve a more sustainable and equitable food future.

4 dimensions of food security
Food security refers to the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. It encompasses four dimensions:

Availability

Sufficient quantities of food are consistently produced and available on a national or global scale.

Utilization

People have the knowledge, skills, and infrastructure to utilize food appropriately, ensuring proper nutrition and health.

Access

Individuals have the economic means to obtain food through purchase, production, or social support mechanisms.

Stability

Food access and availability are maintained over time, without significant disruptions or shocks.

Food security is commonly addressed through policies and programs implemented at national and international levels. It aims to ensure that food is accessible to all, and to prevent hunger and malnutrition.

4 principles of food sovereignty
Food sovereignty emphasizes the right of individuals and communities to control their own food systems, including production, distribution, and consumption. It advocates for local, decentralized, and community-based approaches to food production, focusing on ecological sustainability, social justice, and cultural diversity. Food sovereignty aims to challenge the dominant industrialized food system and empower communities to regain control over their food production and consumption choices.

Food sovereignty emphasizes the following principles:

Focus on local food systems

Encouraging local production and consumption, supporting small-scale farmers, and promoting traditional knowledge and practices.

Participation and empowerment

Ensuring the involvement of individuals and communities in decision-making processes related to food production, trade, and policies.

Sustainable agriculture

Promoting environmentally friendly farming practices that preserve natural resources, biodiversity, and ecological balance.

Social justice and equity

Addressing inequalities in access to land, resources, and markets, and supporting fair trade practices.

Nutritional yield
When talking about food security, it is important not to forget the aspect of nutrition. It is easy to think that large scale food production in Norrbotten automatically contributes to food security. However, in this context we need to safeguard the access to nutrition and energy in the form of calories for our daily lives and in case of shocks and disturbances in the food system. Focusing only on producing tomatoes and cucumbers makes us forget the important aspects of what will make our tummies full and bring us health.

Traditionally the yield of the food is measured in kilograms or tons, however, now we are moving into an era where nutritional yield is at the forefront. Today’s research is focusing on understanding which primary production methods contribute to nutrition density and how our processing methods can contribute to making that nutrition available for the human body.

Resilience

Food system resilience refers to the ability of a food system to withstand and recover from shocks and stresses while maintaining its essential functions, such as providing food security, nutrition, and economic well-being for communities. These shocks and stresses can come in various forms, including natural disasters (hurricanes, droughts, etc), economic crises, disease outbreaks and other disruptions that can affect food production, distribution, and consumption.

Key components of a resilient food system include:

Diversity in food sources

Resilient food systems are not overly reliant on a single source of food production. They promote biodiversity in crops and livestock, reducing the risk of a catastrophic failure if a particular crop or livestock species is affected by a pest, disease, or adverse weather conditions.

Local and regional food systems

A focus on local and regional food production and distribution can enhance resilience. Shorter supply chains can respond more quickly to disruptions, and local food systems often have a better understanding of local conditions.

Information and technology

Access to timely and accurate information, as well as appropriate technology, is crucial for making informed decisions during times of stress or change.

Infrastructure and supply chain resilience

This includes infrastructure like roads, storage facilities, and processing plants, as well as resilient supply chains that can adapt to disruptions.

Policy and governance

Government policies and regulations can play a significant role in enhancing food system resilience. These might include policies that support sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and social safety nets.

Adaptive capacity

A resilient food system can adapt to changing circumstances. This might include shifting production methods or crops in response to changing climate conditions or changing distribution strategies in response to disruptions in transportation.

Access to resources

Ensuring that all participants in the food system, from primary producers to consumers, have access to necessary resources like land, water, seeds, and financial support.

Social and economic equity

Resilient food systems should be designed with an awareness of social and economic disparities, and they should strive to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food during times of stress.

Diversification in markets

Access to diverse markets can help food producers mitigate economic risks.

Enhancing food system resilience is crucial in a world that faces increasing challenges from climate change, biodiversity crises, economic volatility, and other disruptions. A resilient food system can better ensure food security, reduce the risk of hunger during crises, and contribute to the overall stability and well-being of communities.

Food in Norrbotten County – culture and production

To create food security, it is key to match what people want to eat and what is produced. The food culture therefore becomes important. Alongside our choices of production and trade patterns.

In these volatile times, we need to safeguard our access to food. Not just any food, but nutritious food that brings us health. Food security, and food sovereignty, therefore, needs to be on the agenda. Everything else is too big of a risk. In Sweden this need is stated in the Swedish Food Strategy, alongside a vision of a prosperous Swedish food sector exporting to other markets. While food security focuses on the availability and accessibility of food, food sovereignty is emphasizing self-determination, power structures and community empowerment in shaping food systems. Both concepts are addressing how to achieve a more sustainable and equitable food future.

The food culture of Norrbotten County

Norrbotten County's food culture is deeply rooted in its Arctic environment and cultural heritage, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and traditional dishes that reflect the region's history, people, and connection to nature. In the sales statistics we also can read the patterns of today’s food culture.

Key aspects of the food culture in Norrbotten County:

1. Reindeer meat – Like other northern Swedish regions, reindeer meat is a significant part of Norrbotten's food culture, particularly due to its close ties with the Sami culture.

2. Arctic fish – Norrbotten County's proximity to the Baltic Sea and numerous inland lakes provides an abundance of Arctic fish. Freshwater fish like Arctic char, trout, and whitefish are popular and often used in traditional dishes, such as fish soups and gravlax (cured salmon).

3. Foraged ingredients – The forests and meadows of Norrbotten offer a wealth of wild ingredients. Berries, such as lingonberries, cloudberries, and bilberries(wild blueberries), are commonly foraged and used in desserts, jams, and sauces. Wild mushrooms and herbs also play a significant role in local cuisine.

4. Local culinary festivals – Norrbotten County hosts various culinary festivals and events that celebrate traditional dishes and local ingredients. These festivals provide an opportunity to showcase the region's culinary heritage and attract food enthusiasts from both Sweden and beyond.

5. Preserving techniques – The long, harsh winters in Norrbotten necessitate the use of preservation techniques to ensure a steady food supply throughout the year. Smoking, drying, and fermenting are common methods used to preserve fish, meat, and berries

6. Traditional dishes – Some traditional dishes that are prominent in Norrbotten's food culture include:

Suovas: Thinly sliced and smoked reindeer meat, often served in sandwiches or as a snack.
Pitepalt: A dumpling dish made from grated raw and cooked potatoes filled with salted pork or beef and boiled.
Renskav: Strips of dried and salted reindeer meat, usually cooked with onions and served with potatoes and lingonberries.

7. Arctic cuisine with a modern twist – In recent years, there has been a rise in modern Arctic cuisine, with chefs and restaurants in Norrbotten and the wider Arctic region infusing traditional dishes with contemporary twists. These culinary innovations often showcase the region's unique ingredients and flavours in new and creative ways.

The food supply capacity of Norrbotten

A significant gap between production & consumption

There is a significant gap between food production and consumption in Norrbotten. This issue has gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic due to disruptions in production, international trade, and transportation. In many cases, the food processing industry consumes more raw materials than what is produced within the county. Yet, the volume often falls short of consumption.

25% - the estimated food supply capacity of Norrbotten

Figure 11 provides a visual representation of production and consumption in Norrbotten County in 2019, highlighting the difference between the two for various food items.

A significant portion of the imports are products that cannot be produced in Sweden, but the majority could potentially be produced locally or in Sweden. Only 10% of food raw materials are items that absolutely cannot be produced locally, such as exotic fruits, coffee, tea, and rice. Most food raw materials could be locally produced, but only a small portion of food items actually use local raw materials. Therefore, there are substantial opportunities and compelling reasons to invest more in local food production in Norrbotten County.

The Norrbotten County Food Strategy

“Nära mat” is a shared vision and goals of what Norrbotten’s actors must work on together in the food sector. As a compliment to the food strategy, there is an Action plan for 2022 – 2025. It establishes six strategic goals:

1. Increased profitable production of food from Norrbotten.

The volume has increased, and businesses are enjoying good profitability.

2. Increased value from the production of food in Norrbotten.

The value from the production has increased per unit.

3. Heightened food security in Norrbotten, with a resilient production

A robust food production in Norrbotten and along its value chains secure access to food and water even during societal disruptions.

4. Customers buy more food from Norrbotten through:

Increased knowledge of sustainable consumption.
Knowledge about the production of food in Norrbotten, its added values, and healthy food choices through food from Norrbotten has increased.
A developed and attractive northern food market in Norrbotten County.
The share of food from Norrbotten has increased in stores, restaurants, at events, and in public kitchens. Regional food is easy to find. Food and products are creatively developed and proudly served.

5. The production of food in Norrbotten plays a greater role in society's development and planning.

The production of food is viewed as a crucial strategic issue and is prioritized by society.

6. Food in Norrbotten contributes to developing a circular economy

Increased production and consumption of food from the county have contributed to a circular economy, the green transition, and agenda 2030.

Food production in Norrbotten County

It is essential to understand the existing food system in the area around Gällivare and also where other new facilities will be established. Here lies the possibility to strengthen what is already there. Explore possibilities for collaboration. Dock into the food culture of the region. Reach true food security and strengthen export.

The primary production
Norrbotten County, has a unique agricultural landscape characterized by a focus on milk, beef and pork production, as well as significant contributions from reindeer, wild berries, game, and fish. While agriculture is practiced at high latitudes, the county has a relatively small share of Sweden's overall agricultural production, and the real production value has seen slower growth compared to the rest of Sweden.

Overall, there are opportunities for growth in various agricultural sectors in Norrbotten, but the key lies in local processing, marketing, and innovative approaches to farming.

The value in SEK
The primary food production in Norrbotten County, including wild game, wild berries, and fish, has a production value of 720 million SEK. This corresponds to 1.5 percent of the total value for Sweden when considering unprocessed products. Wild berries, reindeer, game, and fish make up half of the food raw materials in Norrbotten County.

The workforce
The agricultural sector in Norrbotten employs 3000 people, with a majority having other sources of income, and it represents less than 1 percent of the county's full-time workforce.

Growth
All agricultural products are underrepresented in Norrbotten County. The production per person is less than half compared to Sweden as a whole. Overall, 0.9 percent of Sweden's agricultural production occurs in Norrbotten, and this share is decreasing.

Regarding agricultural and horticultural production, data limitations make it challenging to compare over time and with other counties. However, it appears that real production value has had weaker growth in Norrbotten compared to the rest of Sweden. Data indicates that the real production value in Norrbotten County has increased by only 7 percent since 2005, while it increased by 37 percent in Sweden as a whole.

The use of arable land
The area under cultivation in Norrbotten County peaked in 1951 at 86,000 hectares but has since decreased to 32,000 hectares. The majority of arable land in Norrbotten County is devoted to pasture, with only a small fraction used for cereal crops like grains and an even smaller portion for potatoes. Over the years, potato cultivation has declined significantly.

The food industry in Norrbotten County

Meat dominates
Meat and processed meat products are the largest sector within food processing. In Norrbotten, there are 40 companies in this sector, generating 1 billion SEK in revenue and employing nearly 400 people. More than half of these companies focus on reindeer and game, but the largest ones specialize in processing meat from farm animals. Norrbotten has 8 slaughterhouses and 14 facilities for processing and refining reindeer meat. The estimated turnover for companies involved in reindeer slaughter, processing, and sales is approximately 160 million SEK in Norrbotten. In the dairy sector,

Dairy
Norrmejerier dominates, but there are also a handful of small farm dairies, with one specializing in goat milk.

Bakeries are significant
Bakeries also play a significant role, with Polarbröd being the giant, along with 16 other bakeries in the region. Some are one-person businesses, while others have over 20 employees

Beverages – small-scale producers
The beverage manufacturing sector stands out due to the presence of a large number of small-scale producers. There are 20 breweries, focusing on beer and malt beverages, and four companies producing whisky and other spirits. While the scale of these businesses is currently limited in terms of revenue and employment, one-third of these companies (8 out of 24) are so new that it's uncertain how large their operations will become.

Wild berries – significant revenue & few employees
Wild berries contribute significantly to revenue in the processing stage but employ relatively few individuals. This industry largely revolves around wholesale activities where berries are bought and sold, with limited processing.

Fish processing – 200 million SEK & 90 employees
The fish processing industry is important, with 20 companies involved in trading and processing fish. They generate 200 million SEK in revenue and employ 90 people in Norrbotten

7 companies have 54% of the total revenue

What needs to be in place

For food production in Gällivare, Norrbotten County and the Arctic area to be successful both social, environmental, and economic sustainability need to be at hand. The local engagement among the citizens will be crucial.

So far, the pre-studies that form the basis of the Arctic Food Arena project have been of mainly technical kind, focusing on access to inputs. One of the reports, Gällivare Green Cluster Pre-Study, recommends initiating the development of the food sector, as a first step towards the goal of a new balanced industrial cluster of sustainable business.

We believe further studies need to be carried out to look deeper into the conditions necessary for developing products that will be able to reach the market at the right price, taste, and visibility.

Also, we want to point to the challenge, mentioned in previous studies, of successfully recruiting competent staff. A multi criteria sustainability analysis on a holistic and local level is recommended.

When making decisions regarding the advised primary food production in Gällivare we need to consider the aspects of food security, functioning ecosystems, commercial stability and social integration. Coming steps for the project, we believe will include digging deeper into the inputs, assets and labour needed for different kinds of production and food produce.