The food and drink industry with its gross value of production of 10.6 billion euros and its 2.3 billion euros value added in the year 2008 is the fourth largest branch of industry in Finland. 34,500 people was then employed by the food and drink industry. This is fourth most of all branches of industry. The whole food and drink chain from agriculture to processing and sales employs about 300,000 people.
The value of export of food industrial products in the year 2009 was 1.1 billion euros. The most important exports were cheese, alcoholic drinks, butter, pork, sugar-derived products and chocolate.
The food and drink industry is practised in 1,900 places of business. In the most food categories 2-3 enterprises prepare 75-90 % of all the products. It means that there are about 1.500 food producers mainly working manually.
The R&D investments have been stable during 2 last decenniums, annually about 60 million euros. As compared to value added the investments is internationally in food industry high, about 2,6 % and to gross value about 0,6 %. Because of low total turn over the amount of R&D money is not so high however. Main R&D investors are the biggest dairies, breweries, bakeries and meat products companies. R&D staff together is about 850 people and nearly half of them has Master or Doctor degree.
Click here to see the descriptions of large and SME-sized Finnish food companies
The role of Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation (ETL)
The Finnish Food and Drink Industries´ Federation is developing the operational requirements of the food and drink industry and furthering appreciation of the branch.
The strategic areas of operation:
- a flexible and innovative labour market
- the competitive acquisition of raw material
- an efficient and responsible value chain
- legislation that takes into account the view of the food industry
- strong appreciation of the food and drink industry, including activity as researcher
Members
ETL had 290 member companies at the end of 2009 and two association members, Lihakeskusliitto ry (The Finnish Meat Trade Association) and Suomen Leipuriliitto ry (Finnish Bakers' Union). The members cover over 90 percent of the food and drink industry's production in Finland.
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