World Grain - February 2018 - 23

FOOD DEMAND CHANGES

Sweden wheat production
(in tonnes)

In its Annual Report for 2016, the cooperative considered
how the changing population is affecting food demand.
3,000,000
³'HPDQG LQ 6ZHGHQ LV EHFRPLQJ LQFUHDVLQJO\ GLYHUVL¿HG
as a result of urbanization, population growth and an in2,500,000
creased population with a foreign background," the company
2,000,000
said. "Urbanization is a strong trend throughout the world and
1,500,000
is also continuing in Sweden, mainly in large cities and the 20
largest municipalities outside the metropolitan areas.
1,000,000
"Consumers' increased interest in food and sustainability
500,000
presents opportunities for Swedish farming. There is scope for
creating added value in the food chain, while farms can obtain
0
better prices for their produce. Increased demand for vegetaEOHSURWHLQHJIURPSXOVHVDOORZVIRULQFUHDVHGSUR¿WDELOLW\
from growing these crops."
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Attitudes to GMOs are mixed. In an attaché report on agproducts. Owned by 25,000 Swedish farmers, we have 10,000 ricultural biotechnology in the E.U. member states, Sweemployees, operations in over 20 countries and an annual den was listed as part of a group in which "forces willing to
turnover of SEK 40 billion."
adopt the technology (mainly scientists and professionals of
The company's annual review for 2016 explains its role in the agricultural sector) are counterbalanced and usually outagriculture.
matched by forces rejecting it (retailers, consumers and gov"Lantmännen Lantbruk buys and sells grain, oilseeds and HUQPHQWV ZLWK DFWLYLVWV KROGLQJ VLJQL¿FDQW VZD\ RYHU WKH
pulses," it said. "The volume in 2016 was about 2.9 million public discourse)." The attaché report divides E.U. countries
tonnes. About half the quantity went to Lantmännen's own in- LQWR³DGRSWHUV´³FRQÀLFWHG´DQGWKRVHWKDWDUHRSSRVHGWRDOO
dustries. Swedish grain exports are estimated to be 1.5 million XVHRIJHQHWLFPRGL¿FDWLRQ6ZHGHQXVHGWREHDQDGRSWHUEXW
tonnes for the 2016 harvest year, with Lantmännen account- LWKDVEHHQLQWKHFRQÀLFWHGJURXSVLQFHZKHQWKHIHHG
LQJ IRU D VLJQL¿FDQW SURSRUWLRQ RI WKLV7KHUH LV FRQVLGHUDEOH industry decided not to use GE ingredients," it said.
interest in Swedish export grain, as the harvests in France and
Chris Lyddon is World Grain's European correspondent. He may be
the Baltic region were lower than normal. Lantmännen Lantcontacted at: chris.lyddon@ntlworld.com.
bruk's most important markets for grain exports are wheat to
the Mediterranean, malting barley to Germany and the Benelux
We want to hear from you - Send comments and inquiries to
countries and oats to Germany, Benelux and the United States." worldgrain@sosland.com. For reprints of WG articles, e-mail reprints@sosland.com.
3,500,000

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

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World Grain - February 2018

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