Finland increases strategic grain reserves to nine months of consumption

Finland has increased its strategic grain reserves from an amount sufficient to cover six months of population consumption to nine months. The decision was taken amid an unstable security environment in Europe, including Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Around 98% of grain in the expanded reserves is of Finnish origin, while imported grain accounts for approximately 2%. At the same time, the basic reserve covering six months of consumption consists entirely of domestically produced grain.

Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency does not purchase grain directly from abroad. However, its contracted partners may temporarily use imported grain to build and rotate reserves depending on the harvest situation and supplies available on the domestic market.

The need for imported grain may arise mainly in August and September, when old-crop stocks are at their lowest and the new Finnish harvest has not yet fully entered the market. The authorities emphasize that domestically produced grain remains the priority, although imports for reserve purposes are not prohibited.

At the same time, some Finnish farmers oppose grain imports during the harvest period. In particular, rye imports in August and September could put additional pressure on domestic prices just as local producers are actively marketing their new crop.

Tags: grain, grain reserves, Finland