Food prices have risen significantly in recent years. Some examples of goods that have become significantly more expensive are coffee and butter. In just one year, butter has become 26 percent more expensive in Swedish grocery stores, according to figures from Statistics Sweden.
At the same time, dairy products such as milk, cheese and eggs have increased in price by 10.4 percent since February 2024.
Leading in the Swedish market for dairy products is Arla Foods, who has received a lot of criticism for the high prices. As a producer of one of Sweden’s most popular butter, Bregott, says Max WallenbergArla’s press manager, that the reactions to prices come as no surprise.
– I understand if you as a consumer react to food prices and that dairy stands out. I understand that it stings in the wallet for those with small margins, but if we want Swedish food on the table in the future, Swedish dairy farmers must be paid reasonably. I hope that consumers understand, says Wallenberg in an interview with the newspaper Dagvarunytt.
In 2024, Arla increased compensation to the farmers by 28 percent. At the same time, milk production does not cover global demand.
– It makes 2024 special and shows that many farmers around Europe are uncertain about the future. Farmers have a horizon of 20 to 30 years when making their investments. The conditions cannot be changed from one year to another, Wallenberg continues.
The question remains of which keeping food prices will attract in the future. Unfortunately, Arla does not give a cheer for those who hope to save some money on the household cash register.
– Unless the price goes down to the farmers, we cannot make big price reductions. And this is a balancing act for us. Consumers must be able to afford our products, at the same time we safeguard a viable agriculture and the compensation to our owners the milk farmers. As a market leader, I cannot comment on price trends in the coming months, but over time I think we must all accept that a larger proportion of household cash register is put on food, says Wallenberg to Grocery.