War drives up fertilizer prices - affects Swedish farmers

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have led to rising prices for mineral fertilizers – an important input affecting the calculus of farmers in Europe.

The fuel has also become more expensive and the difficulties in getting transport through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global trade, states the National Federation of Farmers LRF.

Not sure that autumn sowing is smart this year

In Sweden, autumn-sown crops have become increasingly common over the past 20 years.

- One reason is that they have a more stable yield when the climate changes, says Per Germundsson, grain manager at Lantmännen.

Autumn-sown crops have a longer growing season but also require more inputs, such as fertiliser, and produce greater yields than crops sown in the spring.

The cultivation of winter wheat, for example, is no longer as profitable and this makes farmers think about sowing other crops, although nothing seems to be able to replace cereals on a large scale.

- In the autumn, we believe in an increase in autumn rapeseed. In recent years, the cultivation of, for example, hemp and starch potatoes has increased in Scania. One reason is weak profitability in grain cultivation, says Per Germundsson.

The total volumes can be affected

According to this year's harvest forecast, Swedish farmers expect to produce a total of 5 million tons of grain in 2026. Last year, the harvest was considerably larger, a total of 6.4 million tons.

But Sweden is still self-sufficient in grain and exports to other countries.

- The country feels good because we have a large food production. It is also a prerequisite for animal production. Should there be a sharp reduction, the Swedish economy will be affected, says Per Germundsson.