As Finland propels its commitment to responsible and sustainable food production, a surge in food and beverage innovations crafted from local treasures like berries, cereals, legumes, and even air is unlocking new markets. According to Maaseudun Tulevaisuus, Finnish food exports rose by approximately four percent, surpassing 1.5 billion euros in 2020.
Sweden maintained its position as the top destination for food and beverage exports, contributing almost 323 million euros, with dairy, confectionery, alcohol, and meat leading the product categories. Notably, exports to China surged, making it the second-largest export market due to cumulative growth of nearly 300 percent in recent years.
The culinary landscape is evolving with innovations centered around berries and cereals, emphasizing taste, safety, responsibility, and sustainability. The Finnish food industry is actively striving to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030, focusing on eco-friendly solutions, bioenergy, sustainable packaging, waste reduction, and optimized supply chain logistics.
Esa Wrang, director of Food from Finland at Business Finland, highlighted, “Finnish food, especially local food, is based on the recycling of nutrients between production and consumption and the utilization of local energy resources. At its best, it is a carbon-neutral local economy where environmental emissions are minimized.”
Many Finnish food export companies are already carbon neutral, with some even producing the first carbon-negative products. Prioritizing animal and human wellbeing, Finnish food producers boast low antibiotic use in animal husbandry and limited pesticide use in farming.
Arctic Blue Beverages, renowned for its award-winning Arctic Blue Gin, recently introduced the world’s first gin-based oat liqueur, tapping into the growing market for dairy alternatives. Crafted from Finnish gluten-free oats, Arctic Blue Oat aligns with eco-conscious consumers, being organic and vegan-friendly.
Long-established players like Raisio are strengthening their position in the plant-based food sector, acquiring Verso Food, known for fava bean-based meat substitutes. The move aligns with Finland’s strategic push for growth in plant-based value-added products.
In a groundbreaking venture, Solar Foods is advancing commercial-scale production of Solein, a nutritionally complete protein made from electricity and carbon dioxide. The Finnish startup received a 10 million-euro investment from The Finnish Climate Fund for this venture, emphasizing sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
As Finland pioneers values and innovation in the global food market, the journey reflects a commitment to excellence, responsibility, and a vision for a more sustainable culinary future.