Lantmännen’s forecast for the annual harvest of grain, oilseed crops and pulses amounts to 6.1 million metric tons in total, which is lower than the company’s bumper harvest from the previous year but slightly above the five-year average. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how crucial Swedish agriculture and a functioning food chain are for Sweden’s ability to be self-sufficient and the Swedish harvest is the basis for this, according to the agricultural cooperative headquartered in ‎Stockholm.

“We’re expecting a good harvest in Sweden this year, in terms of both volume and quality, although there will be regional differences. We have a big responsibility to handle the harvest in the best ways. Lantmännen has plenty of capacity to receive, dry and store grain and is well-prepared to take charge of this year’s harvest safely and securely, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” explains Mikael Jeppsson, Head of the Grain Unit at Lantmännen.

Food production in Sweden
When people in Sweden started to stockpile food in association with the spread of COVID-19, concerns regarding how long and how well Sweden could manage its food supply during an extended crisis were raised. The pandemic has quite clearly spotlighted how important Swedish agriculture and its functioning food chain is. To a large extent, Sweden’s access to food and the capacity to be self-sufficient is based on the Swedish harvest.

“Ensuring a good food supply is of the utmost importance, especially in times of crisis. As such, this year’s harvest is more significant than ever and we as a business and our members – Swedish farmers – have an important social responsibility. Together, we take responsibility from field to fork to secure the entire food value chain, from farms to store shelves and consumers,” says Per Lindahl, Chairman of the Lantmännen Board.

In the spring, the Swedish government classed the food sector as an essential business for society and food production is a core sector in the Swedish economy. 

“We ought to increase the proportion of Swedish-produced food. Sweden has world-class food production and we have some of the world’s most sustainable agriculture. Sweden’s farmers produce high-quality food and the Swedish food sector employs 300,000 people in Sweden. The Swedish food sector has a goal of producing more food sustainably, to meet changing demand, increase the level of supply and export more,” comments Per Olof Nyman, Lantmännen Group President and CEO.

The 2018 drought, when Sweden went from being a net exporter of grain to a net importer, was followed by a favorable annual harvest in 2019 and Sweden could once again export grain to a large extent. The prospects for grain exports look good this year as well, according to Lantmännen.

“Exports are a big part of Lantmännen’s business and a good harvest 2020 means that we will continue to export grain to Europe, North America and North Africa,” says Jeppsson.

Conditions have varied in different parts of the country, especially in terms of rainfall. In southern areas of Sweden, the harvest is expected to be of normal size, or slightly below. Further north and around Mälardalen, in particular, a more abundant harvest is expected.

A relatively substantial autumn sowing was established in autumn 2019, thanks to good weather and ground conditions. As a rule, large autumn sowing means a larger total harvest, as autumn-sown crops deliver a higher yield than spring-sown crops. Spring cultivation started earlier than usual in large parts of the country, which allowed the crops to grow strong. This year’s spring cultivation differed to a normal year; the proportion of oats was substantially higher than usual, driven by increased consumption within the food sector and better cultivation calculations.

Farmers opt for oats this year
Ahead of the 2020 harvest, Swedish farmers have chosen to sow more oats and less barley, partly due to the pandemic. Oats, rye and wheat-based products,such as porridge oats, flour and pasta are in significant demand at food stores, while demand for barley has fallen. Canceled events and closed restaurants have led to a dro in beer consumption around the world.

“Oats have important health benefits and are a key crop for Swedish agriculture. Sweden has very good conditions for growing oats and there is big global interest in Swedish oats, thanks to their world-leading quality,” Jeppsson concludes.