Nordic Dairy Congress sets the stage for growth

Overall, the mood was cautiously optimistic at the recent Nordic Dairy Congress in Iceland. It was a very well-attended congress, with over 300 delegates from the various Nordic countries, along with the UK and US. Several government officials were also in attendance to see how to ” Unlock the power of dairy for people and the planet,” as the theme went.

Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, the Icelandic minister of industries, spoke in Reyjavik, noting, “As the world grapples with profound changes in climate and global food systems, dairy stands at a pivotal moment, with challenges but also opportunities. Dairy has long been a cornerstone of rural development in the Nordic countries and is part of our cultural identity, by using renewable energy and diversifying, promoting tourism, forestry and embracing sustainable modes of production. We are looking to inspire transformation, look beyond tradition and to embrace change.”

The Icelandic national food policy adopted in 2023, rests on several key principles, she observed. “Sustainable resource management, animal welfare, viable farming, communities, reduced climate impact, and carbon neutral by 2040. With dairy, we are encouraging small and medium farms to develop and ensure traceability.

“On Iceland, the biggest dairy farm has 250 dairy cows. We are an island and rely entirely on our domestic breed unlike other countries. The domestic breed has been shielded from diseases, but in last 40 years, the number of farms decreased by 77 per cent while production increased by 42 per cent, so we constantly strive for innovation. Our group of 400-odd dairy farmer and the geographic isolation demands tailored solutions, and our energy system is almost entirely renewable. We have lots of water and under utilised land.”

She also noted that food sovereignty, decarbonisation of production and new ways to attract young farmers was needed for the country. Meanwhile, trust must be earned continuously around animal welfare and through the dairy value chains. She observed that “Nordic countries well positioned in this area. We have high social trust, strong institutions and adherence to strong social cohesion. Howver, we must ensure that our youth see dairy as not yesterday’s industry but a field rich with innovation and change. Our dairy heritage is strong, but our future depends on what we choose to build together, and we must produce better. We have to innovate – not just for the bottom line, but for the people and for the planet.”