This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 7/22/2019

Overview

Sweden is a sophisticated market featuring affluent, well-educated, and open-minded consumers who speak very good English and spend 12 percent of their disposable income on food. Sweden’s location as one of the world’s most northern countries means that the growing season in Sweden is comparatively short. Sweden therefore relies on imports.

In 2018, Sweden imported an estimated $236 million of agricultural, fish, and forestry products from the United States. U.S. products have a good quality image; however, after shipping costs, import duties, and taxes the products may not be price competitive compared to other suppliers. It is highly recommended that exporters study the Swedish import requirements carefully. Competition is fierce on price, quality, uniqueness, and innovation, and there is competition from EU Member States (MS) who benefit from the protection afforded by EU tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers.

Agricultural & Related Imports, In USD million

2015

2016

2017

2018

Total Local Production

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Total Exports

12,735

13,332

10,614

11,250

Total Imports

17,561

18,427

18,470

19,932

Imports from the US
 

278

255

225

236

Total Market Size

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Exchange Rates

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

Source: World Trade Atlas

Leading Sub-Sectors

Although a small market, Sweden offers export opportunities for U.S. exporters of specialty foods, alcoholic beverages, tree nuts and products with a special certification, like organics.

Sweden, Best High-Value Products Prospects, $1,000

Product

Total Imports, 2018

Imports from U.S., 2018 (U.S. market share)

Key Constraints Over Market Development

Market Attractiveness for USA

Wine
 HS2204

781,625
 

36,456
 (5 percent)

Wines from France, Italy and Spain are very popular.  South African, Chilean and Argentine wines are popular New World wines.

Sweden does not produce wines and therefore depends on imports.  The Swedes are among the most affluent consumers in the world.

Almonds
HS080212

39,653

21,696
 (55 percent)

Competition from Spanish organic almonds.

Strong demand from bakeries and snack companies.

Beer
HS2203
 

139,201
 

27,590
 (20 percent)

Competition from Germany and the United Kingdom.

The swedes love specialty craft beers from microbreweries.

Sauces and Condiments
HS210390

151,211
 

21,625
(14 percent)

Competition from other EU MS and also Thailand.

Growing demand for sauces, preparations, condiments and seasoning due to Swedish strong grilling tradition, especially during the summer.

Walnuts
HS080232

23,478
 

4,898
 (21 percent)

Some competition from France and Moldova.

Growing demand from the snack industry and bakeries.

Snack Food (including Confectionary)

355,906

818
(<1 percent)

Competition from other EU MS

The Swedes like well-known branded snack food.

Non-alcoholic Beverages
HS220290

130,510

976
(1 percent)

Competition from other EU MS

The Swedes like well-known branded and innovative beverages.

Source: World Trade Atlas

Opportunities

Swedes have an interest in experimenting with new and innovative products and cuisines. There is a growing demand for fresh, organic, and free-from food products due to a greater awareness regarding health. Swedish buyers regularly travel the world to see/buy new product and make new contacts, so exporters should consider exhibiting at one of Europe’s trade shows (see partial list below).

Web Resources

The Agricultural Service at the American Embassy in The Hague represents the interest of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in the Netherlands and Nordic countries.
FAS Data & Analysis Sweden:
https://www.fas.usda.gov/regions/europe-and-eurasia/sweden
Global Agricultural Trade System Online:
https://apps.fas.usda.gov/gats/default.aspx
Swedish Board of Agriculture: http://www.jordbruksverket.se/swedishboardofagriculture.4.6621c2fb1231eb917e680002462.html

Trade shows
International confectionary Fair (ISM)
Cologne, Germany                          Contact hanna.khan@fas.usda.gov  
February 2-5, 2020                          Tel: +49-3083-05-1152
           
Fruit Logistica*
Berlin, Germany                               Contact hanna.khan@fas.usda.gov
Feb 5-7, 2020                                  Tel: +49-3083-05-1152
           
BioFach*
Nüremberg, Germany                      Contact hanna.khan@fas.usda.gov
Feb 12-15, 2020                               Tel: +49-3083-05-1152
 
ProWein
Düsseldorf, Germany                       Contact hanna.khan@fas.usda.gov
March 15-17, 2020                           Tel: +49-3083-05-1152


PLMA World of Private Label
Amsterdam, The Netherlands          Contact marcel.pinckaers@fas.usda.gov
May 26-27, 2020                             Tel: +31-70-3102-305


SIAL*
Paris, France                                     Contact laurent.journo@fas.usda.gov
Oct 18-22, 2020                                Tel: +33-14312-2245
*Bi-annual

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.


More Information

Sweden Trade Development and Promotion