The global grain shortage is causing prices to skyrocket.
Wheat costs a breathtaking 91% more now than in January 2021. A price increase that can be positive for Swedish grain farmers, says farmer Catharina Rudolphson, who is also running for municipal council for the Moderates.
- It is unfortunately the case in this industry that what is bad for one is better for another.
But of course no farmer wants a crisis or war.
The rising prices in combination with an EU decision that it will be allowed to grow on land that is fallow, means that Catharina Rudolphson will now increase her production.
- We can produce more than we do today.
And for me, and for most farmers, it is the price that rules.
If it is profitable, we grow, she says.
But not everyone is in favor of the temporary change presented by the EU.
One of those who is critical is Pär Holmgren (MP), who believes that it prevents a "long-term sustainable food supply".
- We can not make decisions that go against our climate goals and the goals for biodiversity, he said to Europaportalen.
"Illogical and immoral"
Palle Borgström, union chairman of LRF, says that farmers' opportunities to increase production vary across the country.
- It depends, for example, on whether the crops have survived the winter and whether you bought fertilizer before the price rose, he says.
Compared with other countries, such as the USA and China, Sweden is not a large producer of grain.
Does it matter if such a small player as Sweden scales up?
- Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something.
Even though Sweden is a small player, it is still illogical, and immoral, that we do not use our opportunity to produce at the same time as people are starving in other countries, says Palle Borgström.