Finland - AgricultureFinland - Agriculture
Overview
Due to the severe Nordic winters and a relatively short growing season, Finland relies heavily on imported food and agricultural products. Finland’s geographical proximity and long-established connections to the Baltic states provide a solid business base in Northern Europe. Increased demand for consumer goods, agribusiness opportunities, food industry investments and tourism in the region has been generated by structural reforms and development of market economies in the Baltic states as well.
Finland, the Best High-Value Products Prospects, $1,000
Product |
Total imports in 2018 |
Imports from U.S. in 2018 |
U.S. Market Share |
Key Constraints over Market Development |
Market Attractiveness for USA |
Wine |
264,236 |
5,899 |
2% |
Wines from New World (Chile, South Africa and Australia) and Old World countries are equally popular (Spain, Italy and France). The Finns are not too familiar with wines produced in states other than California. |
Finland fully depends on imported wines and the Finns are among the most affluent consumers within the EU. |
Raisins |
6,234 |
4,166 |
67% |
Growing competition from other dried fruit (dates and bananas) and nut mixes and other supplying countries such as Turkey. |
Affluent consumer market, favorable image of products from the United States and growing awareness for healthy products. |
Whiskies |
27,556 |
3,386 |
12% |
Alcoholic drinks are very expensive in Finland and the Finns are turning to drinks with a lower alcohol percentage. |
There is a growing market for high-quality, new and innovative spirits like gins. |
Prunes |
3,833 |
2,032 |
53% |
Growing competition from other dried fruit (dates and bananas) and nut mixes and other supplying countries such as Turkey. |
Affluent consumer market, favorable image of products from the United States and growing awareness for healthy products. |
Beer |
43,375 |
1,243 |
3% |
Competition from Finland, Germany and the UK. The Finns love Finnish beer. |
Demand for specialty craft beers from microbreweries. |
Source: World Trade Atlas
Leading Sub-Sectors
Best prospects: wine, beer, healthy snacks, fresh produce, innovative and unique products, convenience food products and organic and sustainable food stuffs.
Opportunities
Finland is a sophisticated market with a high standard of living, knowledgeable consumers and high per capita income levels. The Finnish consumer has a high acceptance of new products and concepts. U.S. products are considered high quality and trendy.
Web Resources
The Agricultural Service at the American Embassy in The Hague represents the interests of the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in the Netherlands and the Nordic countries. These responsibilities are principally accomplished via reporting commodity and trade developments to the USDA, coordinating policy issues with host government officials and promoting the sale of U.S. food, agricultural, forestry and fishery products. The office provides trade services for local importing companies seeking U.S. products and U.S. companies wishing to develop markets in the region of responsibility. Please contact FAS by E-mail: agthehague@fas.usda.gov
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.