Sweden’s dairy farmers hit hard by sanctions against Russia
Swedish dairy farmers are facing a tough time because of international politics.
Russia has stopped the importation of milk products from the EU, and Swedish dairy revenues have sunk to record lows because of it.
Peter Petersson, a dairy farmer from the county of Småland, said to Swedish Radio News that his revenue had sunk by 30 percent in just the last half year.
The Swedish Parliament had scheduled a crisis meeting Thursday to discuss the issue.
Russia’s ban on imports was a reaction to sanctions imposed by the EU. Now, a surplus of milk products in EU countries means that prices have sunk for dairy farmers in Sweden.
Swedish Radio News reports that countries like Germany, Poland, and Finland once exported dairy products to Russia. The ban means a surplus of milk, cheese, and butter in those countries.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Will Russia’s actions in Ukraine affect relations in the Arctic Council?, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: “Cold war looming, sanctions our best bet,” says Finland’s PM, Yle News
Iceland: From Arctic Circle 2013-2014, a big drop in the price of oil, Blog by Mia Bennett
Norway: Norway’s krone follows oil-price downhill, Barents Observer
Russia: Ruble crash will have a huge negative impact on cross-border trade”, Barents Observer
United States: Oil price collapse prompts agency to lower Alaska credit outlook, Alaska Dispatch
