08.11.2011
Finnish stores are facing problems in getting butter to their shelves. Butter is already selling out in some stores. Butter consumption has risen 25 per cent since the beginning of the year. Finnish butter producing companies Valio and Arla Ingman inform that they cannot increase production volumes because there is not enough raw material. Valio already informed to reduce their butter exports in order to satisfy Finnish demand. In total, Valio and Arla Ingman hold about 80 per cent share of butter market in Finland.
Other milk based products, such as cheese, yoghurt and full fat milk, consumption have risen this year due dietary changes among Finnish consumers. Low-carbohydrate diet allows the consumption of more fat containg products and the demand of these products has left producers with less milk fat. In addition, total milk production in Finland has dropped as well, because of closed down milk producing farms. There are estimates that the price of butter is going to rise.
Arla Ingman's CEO Robert Ingman believes that part of the problem is consumers hoarding butter.
(Source: YLE & Maaseudun Tulevaisuus, 31.10.2011 & 6.11.2011)