KRAV-certified farmers now increasing production

During 2015 KRAV-certified farmers took action on the shortage of raw materials and greatly increased the production of KRAV-labelled pork, eggs and table birds. The amount of farmland entering the KRAV-certification process increased for the first time in five years, by 16%. It is primarily farmers who are already KRAV-certified that increased their production, but in addition there were also new KRAV-certified farmers in 2015.

Year after year KRAV’s market report shows record large sales increases and 2015, with a 39% increase, was no exception.

“Demand for KRAV-labelled food was even slightly greater during 2015 compared to 2014, a record year. Never before have so many consumers together purchased so many KRAV-labelled products,” said Johan Cejie, Sales Manager, KRAV.

In order to meet the explosive increase in demand, KRAV-certified farmers increased production during 2015 and the increase is continuing during 2016. As well, new KRAV-certified farmers have been recruited, altogether just over 250 farmers.

“Where there has been the greatest shortage of raw materials, there have also been the greatest increases. Farmers have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by the market for organic products and it is extremely positive. At the same time, we need even more KRAV-certified farmers. All signals from the marketplace actors show that the high demand will continue,” said Johan Cejie.

Within KRAV-certified hog production, the number of slaughter hogs increased by 32%. The plan for 2016 is a further increase of approximately 50%, and currently these KRAV-certified farmers receive the highest price for hogs in the world.

With regard to KRAV-labelled eggs, the number of laying hens increased by 30%. The number of table birds increased by 52%.

The high demand for KRAV-labelled vegetables also led to increased production during 2015, of 21%.

One of the farmers who will contribute to the KRAV-certified vegetable growing during 2016 is Joel Månsson. He is converting his farm’s land to grow KRAV-labelled beets, potatoes and celeriac.

“We converted our land for many different reasons, including implementation of a better crop rotation but also because it is fun to get such a positive response from the consumers who want to buy organic products,” said Joel Månsson.

Joel Månsson runs the Norra Knästorp farm together with his father, Anders Månsson. The farm lies outside of Lund in Skåne, which is one of the counties where the number of KRAV-certified farmers increased the most during 2015.

Here is a list of the 10 counties with the most KRAV-certified farmers. The figure within parentheses shows the increase or decrease in the number of farmers in the county:

• 951 Västra Götaland (-37)
• 305 Östergötland (+14)
• 301 Skåne (+24)
• 211 Uppsala (-4)
• 199 Värmland (+3)
• 169 Södermanland (-6)
• 156 Jönköping (-1)
• 155 Gävleborg (-6)
• 142 Gotland (-3)
• 136 Halland (+5)

Contacts:
Johan Cejie, Sales Manager, KRAV, 070-665 93 76.
Joel Månsson, Farmer, Norra Knästorp, 070-3881298.
Kristin Karlsson, Press Manager, KRAV, 070-665 95 30.