With only 6.5% of arable land and a Scandinavian climate, Sweden's agricultural sector includes a limited number of crops and a large dairy sector.
Sweden is one of the largest countries in Europe in terms of area, but only 2.7 million hectares are cultivated. Thanks to the dynamic climate, there are significant differences in production conditions between southern and northern Sweden. The growing season is almost 100 days longer in the south than in the north.
Due to the diverse climatic conditions, coarse grains and fodder are grown mainly in the north, and wheat - in the southern and central regions. Oilseed production is also predominantly in the southern and central regions.
The main cereals grown in the country are wheat, oats, rye and corn. Rapeseed is the leading oil crop.
Winter wheat production is estimated at 2.8 million tonnes, down 6% from 2022. Cultivated area is higher but yields are down, the agriculture agency said in its August crop report. Winter wheat accounts for 57% of the cereal crop.
The oilseed crop is estimated at 400,000 tonnes, down 4% from last year but 20% higher than the previous five-year average. Summer rape occupies 94% of the total area with oil crops.
Drought this spring and summer has reduced the country's overall grain and oilseed crops, according to Sweden's agriculture agency. Total production is estimated at 4.9 million tonnes for 2023, down 15% from last year's harvest and 5% below the previous five-year average.
Crop production accounts for 40% of the production value of the agricultural sector, while dairy products and beef account for a third.
In addition, Sweden is characterized by long transport distances and sparsely populated areas, with almost 60% of the population living in rural and intermediate regions.
Grains and grain products are the nation's largest export. Exports in the first half of 2023 rose 12.1% to SEK 68 billion ($6.16 billion), with cereal exports up 23% to SEK 6.1 billion ($553 million dollars), according to the Swedish Agricultural Agency.
Most of the exports go to other European countries, mostly Scandinavian. The largest markets for Swedish grain are Denmark, Finland, Norway and the United States.
Sweden is one of the largest countries in Europe in terms of area, but only 2.7 million hectares are cultivated. Thanks to the dynamic climate, there are significant differences in production conditions between southern and northern Sweden. The growing season is almost 100 days longer in the south than in the north.
Due to the diverse climatic conditions, coarse grains and fodder are grown mainly in the north, and wheat - in the southern and central regions. Oilseed production is also predominantly in the southern and central regions.
The main cereals grown in the country are wheat, oats, rye and corn. Rapeseed is the leading oil crop.
Winter wheat production is estimated at 2.8 million tonnes, down 6% from 2022. Cultivated area is higher but yields are down, the agriculture agency said in its August crop report. Winter wheat accounts for 57% of the cereal crop.
The oilseed crop is estimated at 400,000 tonnes, down 4% from last year but 20% higher than the previous five-year average. Summer rape occupies 94% of the total area with oil crops.
Drought this spring and summer has reduced the country's overall grain and oilseed crops, according to Sweden's agriculture agency. Total production is estimated at 4.9 million tonnes for 2023, down 15% from last year's harvest and 5% below the previous five-year average.
Crop production accounts for 40% of the production value of the agricultural sector, while dairy products and beef account for a third.
In addition, Sweden is characterized by long transport distances and sparsely populated areas, with almost 60% of the population living in rural and intermediate regions.
Grains and grain products are the nation's largest export. Exports in the first half of 2023 rose 12.1% to SEK 68 billion ($6.16 billion), with cereal exports up 23% to SEK 6.1 billion ($553 million dollars), according to the Swedish Agricultural Agency.
Most of the exports go to other European countries, mostly Scandinavian. The largest markets for Swedish grain are Denmark, Finland, Norway and the United States.
Leave a comment