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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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NATO’s newest member Sweden is launching its first national food stockpile since the Cold War to build grain reserves amid rising tensions with Russia.
Sweden’s government has allocated 575 million kronor ($60 million) for emergency grain storage with the initial priority given to the north of the country, which civil defense minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said was strategically important for its military and defense.
The move follows warnings by nations situated on NATO’s eastern flank about the security threat posed by Russia, which is accused of sending drones into alliance airspace.
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Why It Matters
The Swedish government statement did not mention Russia by name but since Stockholm joined NATO in 2024 it has been among the alliance’s eastern flank members which have warned about the threat posed by Moscow, amid its aggression in Ukraine.
What To Know
The Swedish government said it would set up emergency grain stocks in the north of the country paid for by money earmarked in next year’s budget.
A tender for the project has been launched in the northern counties of Norrbotten, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland and Jamtland, which are dependent on grain transported from southern Sweden and risk being cut off in the event of a crisis or war.
Bohlin said that the Swedish Board of Agriculture would procure emergency stockpiling of grain in northern Sweden, which would be circulated so as not to disrupt market mechanisms and to avoid stocks perishing.
The Swedish government said up to 95 percent of the population could survive on grains for three months without any nutrient deficiencies in the plan which would provide people with 3,000 calories a day.
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has published a list of recommended foods that are high in fat and protein, and easy to store such as dried meat or fish, jam, chocolate, mashed potatoes, powdered milk and biscuits.
The policy comes as fears grow that Moscow is testing the West with drone incursions that have been reported in Poland, Germany, Denmark and Norway.Last month Estonia invoked NATO’s Article 4 after it said Russian aircraft entered its airspace.
What People Are Saying
Sweden’s Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin on Wednesday: “We are well aware that the risk of Sweden becoming completely cut off is very low, but the risk of complex supply chains being disrupted with major and unpredictable consequences in the event of war and conflict is unfortunately more likely.”
Oskar Qvarfort, emergency planning officer at the Swedish Food Agency told the AFP earlier this month: "In a war scenario, people will be more physically active than under normal circumstances."
What Happens Next
Other countries may follow Sweden’s lead. A European Commission report advised people in the EU to stockpile emergency supplies that can last at least 72 hours in the event of war breaking out or another major emergency such as COVID.
Meanwhile, the EU is discussing a “drone wall” across its eastern flank to protect against the threat posed by Russia.
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