Overview
Due to severe winters and a short growing season, Finland relies heavily on imports of agricultural and food products. In 2022, total Finnish imports of agricultural and related products were valued at $9.124 billion, of which $121 billion were imports from the United States. Over 40 percent of Finnish exports came from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. The United States was the fifth largest non-EU supplier (after Norway, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Indonesia).
Table: Finland, the Best High-Value Products Prospects, $1,000
|
Product |
Total imports in 2022, thousand USD |
Imports from U.S. in 2022, thousand USD |
U.S. Market Share |
Key Constraints over Market Development |
Market Attractiveness for USA |
|
Wine (HS2204) |
252,604 |
4,525 |
2% |
Wines from New World (Chile, South Africa, and Australia) and Old World (Spain, Italy, and France) countries are equally popular. The Finns are not too familiar with wines produced in states other than California. |
Finland fully depends on imported wines and the Finns are among the most affluent consumers within the EU. |
|
Raisins (HS080620) |
6,647 |
4,755 |
72% |
Growing competition from other dried fruit (dates and bananas) and nut mixes and other supplying countries such as South-Africa and Turkey. |
Affluent consumer market, favorable image of products from the United States and growing awareness for healthy products. |
|
Whiskies (HS220830) |
31,975 |
6,969 |
22% |
Alcoholic drinks are very expensive in Finland and the Finns are turning to drinks with a lower alcohol percentage and environmentally friendly packaging. |
There is a growing market for high-quality, new and innovative distilled spirits that have a good story to tell |
|
Prunes (HS081320) |
6,000 |
3,189 |
53% |
The United States still dominates the import market of prunes although there is competition from other supplying countries such as Chile. |
Affluent consumer market, favorable image of products from the United States and growing awareness for healthy, convenient and nutrious products. |
|
Enzymes (HS350790) |
61,248 |
13,135 |
21% |
Competition from many other EU countries. |
Enzymes can enrich flavor, improve texture, increase shelf life, and decrease the use of chemical food additives. |
|
Food preparations (HS210690) |
228,743 |
1,992 |
1% |
Due to proximity, neighboring countries are leading suppliers of flavored or colored sugar, isoglucose, lactose, and glucose and maltodextrine syrups. |
Food preparations are increasingly demanded by Finnish food processing companies. |
|
Ethyl alcohol (HS2207) |
78,835 |
57,654 |
73% |
Ethanol is used as biofuel which is linked with sustainability requirements. |
Domestic ethanol production is limited in the Nordic countries. |
|
Oils & Fats (HS15) |
615,346 |
5,074 |
1% |
Oils and fats are in demand for the production of biofuels and therefor linked with sustainability requirements. |
Production of advanced biofuels is expanding but availability of oils and fats is limited in the Nordic countries. |
|
Fur skins (HS 43) |
220,586 |
2,759 |
1% |
Market unawareness of U.S. product. |
Falling production in Nordic countries, in particular mink. |
Source:Trade Data
Leading Sub-Sectors
Best prospects include alcoholic beverages, dried fruit, high-value ingredients for the food processing industry, healthy snacks, fresh produce, innovative and unique confectionary products, convenience food products, organic and sustainable food stuffs, ethanol as transport fuel, and feedstocks for the bioenergy sector.
Opportunities
Finland is a sophisticated market with a high standard of living, knowledgeable consumers, and high per capita income levels. The Finnish consumer, while being very proud of products produced in Finland, has a high acceptance of new products and concepts. U.S. products are considered high quality and trendy, and packaging featuring iconic stars and stripes images have proven popular.
Resources
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at the American Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands represents the interests of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in the Nordic countries, including Finland. These responsibilities are principally accomplished via reporting commodity and trade developments to the USDA; coordinating policy issues with host government officials; and promoting the sale of U.S. food, agricultural, forestry and fishery products. The office provides trade services for local importing companies seeking U.S. products and U.S. companies wishing to develop markets in Finland. Please contact FAS.
Information
Interested parties may contact the Foreign Agricultural Service at the American Embassy in the Hague, the Netherlands agthehague@usda.gov