More than 40 livestock farmers have decided to slaughter thousands of cattle ahead of summer. Dramatically, fears of a meat shortage in a few years, says Nordura.
– It is unusual for someone to choose to kill a flock. Kagel S., executive vice president of communications, corporate social responsibility and sustainability at Nordura, said there were unusually high levels at this time of year. Says Ragkenas.
The company is owned by farmers and produces and distributes meat and eggs.
At 25 and 26 weeks, more than 40 farmers have registered to slaughter a few thousand animals, Ragkenas says. Some of the farmers call why they are leaving.
– Background Two things: One is the huge increase in expenditure on input factors in agriculture. The second is the income gap between farmers and ordinary people, says Rakenas.
– Many say they can no longer manage, they have a family to support and a life to take care of, he continues.
Ensuring food production
Agricultural talks begin Wednesday. There, the government, the Norwegian Farmers Association and the Norwegian Farmers and Small Owners Association will negotiate prices and other conditions for food production.
– Bjன்rn Jimming, President of the Norwegian Farmers’ Association, says it is now imperative that we implement programs that contribute to the security of food production.
The settlement comes at a time when there is more unrest in the food markets than in the long run. Ukraine, one of the world’s leading food producers, is occupied by Russia, another major food exporter. The war and sanctions against Russia have created fears of a global food shortage. Many rarely talked about how important it is for Norway to produce food for its own people. But the high cost of electricity, diesel, fertilizer, etc. has not made it easier for farmers who already believe that they can get very low incomes by producing food. Enough for some.
Now those who want to leave are small and large farmers. Some are involved in pure meat production, while others are involved in both milk and meat. According to Rakkenas, the majority live in the eastern Norwegian region.
Nordura hopes that the consequences will be felt.
– Rockeness says that if we get such a big slaughter, it will threaten the beef supply in the next few years, pointing out that it will take at least three years to feed an animal.
He does not want to say exactly how many cows were slaughtered “for competitive reasons,” but says it is a dramatic increase than usual.
The government should take the whole bill
The Norwegian Farmers Association believes that all increased costs incurred by farmers due to higher prices for energy, fertilizers and other input factors should be fully offset.
The government has already given or promised something. The electricity subsidy scheme is in force and will last till March 2023. Agriculture Minister Sandra Porsche (SP) has pledged to provide an “additional subsidy” to offset cost growth, which comes to more than the 754 million kroner that farmers have received in addition. autumn season.
– It is not only for the farmer, the farmers’ finances are very important. Jimming believes this is about dealing with the effects of war and the increased costs and protecting food producers.
Fertilizer and grains as usual
The Norwegian Farmers Association NTB reports that they have received reports that some farmers are using less fertilizer this year than ever before. This can lead to smaller crops.
NTB asked Felleskjobet if they noticed this in the sales figures.
– Sales of mineral fertilizers have long been on par with previous years. In recent weeks, demand has been declining, says communications consultant Chikporn Weldt. But, most of the farmers who bought compost last year have bought compost this year as well.
– The input factors for 2022 were massively sold out in 2021, i.e. before the big cost increase.
Sales of seeds are not a concern.
– The total sales of seeds, the sum of the autumn and spring grains, will be the same as in a normal year, says Vedeld.
In fact, according to Vedeld, there has been a slight increase in interest in spring wheat since the invasion of Ukraine.
The agricultural settlement begins on April 27 with the Norwegian Farmers Association and the Norwegian Farmers and Small Owners Association submitting their demands to the government.
On May 4, the government will present its offer, and negotiations must be completed by May 16.
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