- Next Article Finland to create police reserve for national emergencies
Finland is facing a prolonged shortage of ground beef, with producers warning that supply is unlikely to recover before late 2027.
Retailers say demand for ground beef surged during the early part of 2025. Simultaneously, production constraints and logistical disruptions have reduced availability.
“Production has not been able to respond to the increased demand,” said Sampo Päällysaho, grocery trade director at S-Group, one of Finland’s major retail chains.
He cited the April strike in the meat and prepared food sector and the Easter holiday period as contributing factors.
K-Group, another leading chain, has also reported ongoing shortfalls since the start of the year.
“Ground beef remains a widely used ingredient, and its popularity continues to rise. But even a small drop in production causes availability issues,” said Carita Rissanen, sourcing and sales director at Kesko.
Rissanen added that many customers are shifting to alternatives such as chicken, pork, tofu, and plant-based substitutes in response to the shortage.
Industry analysts say the problem is deeper than temporary disruptions.
“The number of calves has dropped, and that has limited meat production,” said Juho Kyntäjä, expert at the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK). “Beef production cannot increase quickly. It takes years from planning to slaughter.”
Finland’s cattle numbers have been falling for decades, driven in part by a shift in focus to milk production. Technological improvements and better feeding have doubled the average milk yield per cow since the 1980s, reducing the need for more animals.
In recent years, around 20 percent of Finland’s cattle have been suckler cows, raised specifically for beef. But even their numbers began to fall in 2023 due to low profitability.
Kyntäjä explained that increasing beef production is not a short-term option. “A calf born in early 2026 would not be slaughtered until late 2027,” he said.
Beef prices have remained relatively stable in Finland, but have risen sharply in much of Europe over the last two years. This has made Finnish beef less profitable to produce, pushing more farmers out of the sector.
“The same trend is happening across Europe, but it’s more acute in Finland,” Kyntäjä added.
Retailers have placed signs in stores explaining the lack of ground beef. Many outlets have begun adjusting stock strategies, and customers may continue to see empty shelves for some time.
The shortage is expected to affect meal planning and pricing for households and restaurants alike, particularly as other meats and alternatives become more prominent in daily diets.
HT
- Next Article Finland to create police reserve for national emergencies
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
