Context
Sweden's food policy emerged in response to several critical observations:
- The negative environmental impact of food production in the country
- The essential role of the agricultural, forestry and fishing sectors as potential levers in the transition to a green economy.
- The need to make food supplies both competitive on the global market and resilient in the face of future crises.
These observations led Sweden to rethink its food system and establish a long-term strategy to meet the environmental and social challenges of 2015-2030.
During the adoption of the law framing this strategy in 2016, the initial objective highlighted was to build a competitive, sustainable, and resilient food chain by 2030. This strategy is based on a series of specific action plans which integrate sustainability goals while aligning with existing national programs such as the National Research Program and the Sustainable Development Program. Through this approach, Sweden aimed to align its sectoral policies and environmental objectives to guide its food system toward an ambitious and structured long-term transformation.
Project
Implementation
The aim of this strategy is to transform the Swedish food chain to make it sustainable and competitive in the long term, serving as a platform for policy development up to 2030. It aims to increase overall food production while respecting national environmental objectives while generating growth, employment and contributing to the country's sustainable development. The strategy is built around three strategic axes described below which are considered crucial to achieving these objectives:
1. Regulation of the agri-food sector: This axis aims to design rules and conditions that support a competitive and sustainable food supply chain. This includes appropriate taxes and fees, simplification of rules, administrative relief, and measures to boost the sector's competitiveness and profitability.
2. Consumer and market guidance: The aim is to boost consumer confidence in food and enable them to make informed, sustainable choices; this includes access to organic and locally produced food. This axis also aims to optimize the rules governing the different segments of the food market to ensure its competitiveness.
3. Enhancing knowledge and innovation: This final axis focuses on increasing productivity and innovation in the food chain while promoting sustainable food production and consumption.
Strategy 1.0 was initiated by a law which was passed regarding the orientation of Sweden's agricultural and food policy in 2016, which led to the development and implementation of two action plans; the first one was for 2017 to 2020, and the second one was for 2020 to 2023. Following the implementation of the policy during this first phase, the government undertook a review of the policy in 2023, again within the framework from 2016 law. The government agencies are therefore in the process of developing a 2.0 strategy.
The strategy is rolled out nationally and is linked to the food strategies adopted by regional counties and communal authorities. It provides a vision and framework for the development of these strategies at lower territorial levels, to ensure overall consistency and cohesion of policies.
Resources
The strategy is based on collaboration between various stakeholders, including the agricultural production, processing, food distribution and research sectors. It emphasizes the involvement of the private sector and gives particular importance to civil society and academia, notably through its inclusion in the national research program. Specific missions are entrusted to various government agencies, either as an integral part of their general missions, or as one-off tasks.
The law was passed by Parliament in 2016 and has been implemented since 2017. Initially allocated a budget of SEK 540 million under the 2014-2020 rural development program, the strategy has benefited from additional investment announced in the 2021 Finance Bill. European funds (ERDF, EAFRD) supplement the overall food strategy budget, amplifying action at national and regional level in line with the strategy's objectives.
Results
The strategy is framed by legislation which defines long-term objectives to guide the transformation of the food system. It also has flexibility in its implementation abilities through the adoption of action plans specific to food issues adopted by successive governments (two action plans have been passed since the law was enacted in 2016) and through coordination with longer-term sectoral programs. In 2023, the government opened a public consultation to gather feedback elements to be kept or modified in Strategy 2.0.
The little extra
The innovative nature of the Swedish national food strategy lies above all in its formal inclusion in legislation, with a vote in Parliament giving it a higher regulatory hierarchical status. This approach ensures that food policy is not just a one-off government initiative, but a national priority enshrined in law, ensuring its sustainability and integration into public policy at all levels. In addition, this strategy is characterized by its budgetary flexibility: the allocated funding can be adjusted according to the assessment of progress towards objectives, enabling continuous adaptation to the realities on the ground and the results observed. Finally, rigorous monitoring is provided for through the publication of annual reports detailing the strategy's progress. This dynamic and transparent approach not only measures the effectiveness of the policy, but also reinforces the responsibility and commitment of the various players involved. By combining these elements, Sweden is creating a food governance structure that is agile, transparent and aligned with long-term objectives.
This sheet was produced by Annaëlle Ragot, Let's Food, in January 2025.
Last modification : 14 Feb 2025.