A European country is stockpiling food for the first time since the Cold War as fears mount over a potential conflict with Russia. The nation is pressing ahead with its “total defence” strategy, which includes re-filling its food silos for the first time in decades.
Sweden became NATO’s 32nd member when it joined the alliance in March 2024. Despite previously maintaining a long-standing policy of military non-alignment, Stockholm decided to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 in a bid to strengthen its own security. Sweden has now set aside around £45 million (575 million kroner) to build national grain reserves. This would make sure the nation can feed itself if global supplies are cut off in the event of a world war.
As reported by the Mirror, civil defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said: “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.”
According to Bohlin, the north of Sweden is the most likely to be isolated in a crisis, so the first storage facilities will be located there. He stressed it was not a “random” choice.
The civil defence minister said: “Northern Sweden’s important military-strategic location combined with a low degree of self-sufficiency in grain makes it urgent to establish physical storage here as soon as possible.
“The government has therefore brought forward the planning and rollout of this buildup precisely because there is no time to lose.”
He added: “Today, we are thus adding another day to the record books as we have taken concrete measures and steps to seriously strengthen the resilience of Swedish society.”
Northern counties Norrbotten, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland and Jamtland currently depend on food being transported around 1,000 miles from the south of the country. A tender process is now underway in these areas to introduce food storage facilities.
Sweden’s “total defence” model was reinstated in 2015, after Russia annexed Crimea. It was then ramped up further following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The comprehensive strategy involves the military, civil and private sectors preparing for the event of war and crises. It includes strengthening the armed forces through conscription and modernising equipment.
The model also focuses on defence measures including training, as well as a high level of societal readiness. Swedish people have a legal obligation to contribute to total defence service when called upon.