The report maps ongoing initiatives, identifies key challenges, and proposes preliminary policy measures to ensure a stable and sustainable plant nutrition supply in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Background of the report

Global food production depends heavily on a stable supply of plant nutrition. Disruptions in this supply chain can have severe consequences for food security. Against this backdrop, the Bioeconomy Programme initiated a study to:

• Map ongoing initiatives and activities aimed at securing plant nutrition supply in the Nordic and Baltic regions.
• Identify risks and challenges associated with these initiatives.
• Propose preliminary policy actions to strengthen self-sufficiency and reduce vulnerabilities.

Key findings and conclusions

The report reveals that several promising initiatives are under development, particularly in Sweden, with the potential to significantly reduce reliance on imported plant nutrition. These initiatives vary in scale and timeframe, with some already in production and others planned to launch before 2030.

Despite these positive developments, the report identifies several key challenges:

• Uncertainty about future demand: Producers express concerns about whether consumers are willing to pay for fossil-free but potentially more expensive products.
• Dependence on imported raw materials: Many initiatives rely on imported inputs, which can create vulnerabilities during global supply disruptions.
• Access to green electricity: The increased demand for renewable energy may lead to bottlenecks, particularly in northern Sweden, where many projects are concentrated.
• Regulatory barriers: Existing legislation and permit processes are often not adapted to new and innovative technologies, causing delays in implementation.

Recommended policy actions

To address these challenges, the report suggests several policy measures:

• Establish common goals and strategies: Develop a unified vision for plant nutrition supply in the Nordic and Baltic regions.
• Introduce economic incentives: Provide subsidies for fossil-free production and/or taxation on traditional, more environmentally harmful methods.
• Reform regulations: Adapt legislation and permit processes to facilitate the implementation of new technologies.
• Create networks and platforms: Promote collaboration among key stakeholders through Nordic/Baltic networks for knowledge exchange and joint development.

By implementing these measures, the Nordic and Baltic countries can strengthen their self-sufficiency in plant nutrition, reduce vulnerabilities to global disruptions, and foster a sustainable bioeconomy in the region.

For more detailed information, you can access the full report here.

The main goal for the workshop was to plan and co-write an abstract/presentation proposal for ICCAS 2022, (International Conference on Culinary Arts and Sciences 2022; Sustainable meal systems worldwide: Challenges for Culinary Arts and Sciences). The proposal was accepted in December 2021!

During our workshop we also had a chance to meet Stavanger’s PhD candidates, one of whom gave us an inspiring presentation of her research among the elderly. Discussions about future actions within education development were vivid as well as discussions about joint research and funding possibilities for continuing the network activities. Collaboration procedures, network theories and various approaches deserve further attention as well as strengthening the ways of sharing currently available materials.

The workshop offered us a stage to meet each other in person, an opportunity to get to know each other and our different ways of working, and to write together.  The workshop was described being mind opening, it strengthened the network, helped clarify our purpose and revealed a need of future discussions and preparations. Our meeting and days at Stavanger were filled with warm Norwegian spirit and overflowing hospitality.

At the coming conference, our network’s aim is to present the activities of the Bridge Builders network in order to discuss how a multidisciplinary approach can contribute with new knowledge to promote sustainable healthy aging in relation to food, nutrition, health and well-being services. We would furthermore like to invite researchers and practitioners who participate in the congress to join the network.

This spring we will continue our monthly online meetings and presentations of ongoing and future research areas related to healthy eating and aging from a holistic perspective. Also Erasmus+ exchange between several partners will go on as well as the preparation of articles and conference contributions.

Bridge Builders consists of expertise in food and nutrition research (healthy food, alternative proteins, mealtime interventions, aging) as well as in service applications and good practices (dietary habits and environments, training of social and health professionals). Participants represent Denmark (University College Copenhagen), Finland (South-Eastern University of Applied Sciences), Norway (University of Stavanger) and Sweden (Linnaeus University).