Swedish alcohol intake hikes after EU entry
Published: 28 Apr 12 09:10 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40524/20120428/
Contemporary Swedes drink significantly more alcohol and eat more meat since the country joined the European Union in 1995, according to a new report by the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket).
- Coke leaves Muhammad out of Sweden PR drive (3 May 13)
- Malmö to fine people who fail to sort their trash (2 May 13)
- Three Swedish eateries among world's top 100 (30 Apr 13)
One of the key points of negotiation during Sweden's EU membership application process concerned the issue of the state-controlled alcohol retail monopoly Systembolaget.
Sweden secured the right to retain the monopoly until 2004 after which time import restrictions were eased for private individuals. The board's report notes that the easing of import restrictions has led to an increase in consumption.
The report shows that the consumption of alcoholic beverages increased by 56 percent from 1995 to 2009, primarily of high-alcohol beer and wine.
Meat consumption increased over the same period by 48 percent as a result of declining consumer prices.
The board's statistics furthermore show that the consumption of bread, pastry, meat, rice, pasta, fruit and vegetables have also increased over the 15 year period of EU membership.
The same development has been seen for soft drinks, while the consumption of milk and butter has decreased.
The agriculture board however notes that there could be factors aside from EU membership which have affected the changes in Swedish consumption habits.
"Various factors affect our consumption patterns. Most likely, the increased awareness of the importance of diet to health and global trends have affected the consumer more than EU membership," said Olof Sköld, who wrote the report for the board, in a statement.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Youths rioted in northern Stockholm on Sunday night, setting fire to cars and throwing rocks at police, in what is believed to be a protest against the fatal police shooting of a machete-wielding man in the suburb last week. READ () »
Eurovision: The final word from Malmö
With two weeks of Euromania done and dusted and with southern Sweden nursing a Eurovision-sized hangover, The Local's Patrick Reilly takes one last look at the highlights, the lowlights, and Malmö's time in the limelight. READ () »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Sweden's ice hockey team won the gold-medal match in the ice hockey World Championships against Switzerland on Sunday night, trouncing the visitors 5-1. READ () »
Royal wedding fever hits Sweden
The Swedish royal family gathered in the Royal Chapel in Stockholm on Sunday for the publication of the banns of marriage ahead of the wedding of Princess Madeleine and her fiancé Christopher O'Neill. READ () »
Christian Democrat support drops: poll
Sweden's Green Party is on the rise while support for the Christian Democrats is at the lowest in nearly a decade, according to the latest voter poll. READ () »
Man held over armed jewellery store robbery
A man was detained Sunday morning on suspicion of involvement in a violent jewellery store heist which left three people with gunshot wounds. READ () »
Vast peat fire in Skåne may burn for weeks
A fire that started on Friday afternoon in a peat bog in southern Sweden has closed down highway traffic and could take weeks to put out, according to local rescue services. READ () »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Emmelie De Forest of Denmark takes over from Sweden's Loreen as the Eurovision Song Contest champion, capping a spectacle that kept Malmö and the rest of Europe cheering on Saturday night. READ () »
- 19/05 Christian Democrat support drops: poll »
- 16/05 Swedish lobbying boom prompts regulation calls »
- 16/05 More Swedes in favour of joining Nato: poll »
- 15/05 Bildt welcomes China's new Arctic Council status »
- 15/05 Borg drops resistance to EU fiscal stimulus »
- 14/05 Sweden is important to Afghanistan: Kerry »
- 14/05 Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt »
- 13/05 Extend Sweden's Afghan mission past Nato's: Bildt »
- 13/05 John Kerry to talk Syria in Stockholm visit »
- 11/05 Female Swedish MPs subject to threats: report »
| 19/05 | Account Manager Sweden | Sollentuna |
| 19/05 | Lead Software Engineer, Environment | Linköping |
| 19/05 | Management Consultant to Global Business Services Advisory Services with Shared Services and Outsourcing Advisory experience | Stockholm |
| 19/05 | Manager for Application Management | Stockholm |
| 19/05 | Manger Intern Sales & Customer ServiceThule Group | SKÅ |
| 19/05 | Nordic Sales Executive Platform Computing | Kista |
- Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final »
- 'Sweden next in line for housing market crash' »
- Solna voted best place to live in Sweden »
- American 'prince' says no to Swedish citizenship »
- Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malm
Highlights
Latest news from The Local in Germany- 19/05 Police warn against high-tech Islamist attacks »
- 19/05 Some fear inflation if small euro coins cut »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
Latest news from The Local in France- 19/05 Ancelotti praises 'great pro' Beckham »
- 19/05 Disgraced ex-minister abandons re-election bid »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in NorwayMore news from Norway at thelocal.no
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland- 19/05 Swiss lose to Swedes in hockey championships »
- 19/05 Swiss to face Sweden in world ice hockey final »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
RegisterRegister now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss- Manger Intern Sales & Customer Service
- Account Manager Sweden
- Lead Software Engineer, Environment
- Management Consultant to Global Business Services Advisory Services with Shared Services and Outsourcing Advisory experience
- Manager for Application Management
- Nordic Sales Executive Platform Computing
- Quality Engineer
- Senior Consultant
- TCMS Software Engineer
- LCI Coordinator
Blog Update: Stripes News
"Div5 v IF Olympia Farsta: 2-2 Having come back from 1-0 down then 2-1 down, 10-men Stripes earned a worthy point from todays fixture. Lascelles took charge in goal after the keeper was red-carded and made some vital saves and interceptions. Robbie G scored from a low over head kick and then a penalty goal by..." READ »
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- 26/4 02:20 Stockholm Taxi Wars: Über fail (Boston Blatte)
- 19/4 15:47 UK and Sweden sign Defence MOU (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- Manger Intern Sales & Customer Service
- Account Manager Sweden
- Lead Software Engineer, Environment
- Management Consultant to Global Business Services Advisory Services with Shared Services and Outsourcing Advisory experience
- Manager for Application Management
- Nordic Sales Executive Platform Computing
- Quality Engineer
- Senior Consultant
- TCMS Software Engineer
- LCI Coordinator
- 08:59 Something you dont know about SWEDEN
- 06:34 Need to help to choose the best place.
- 00:57 Acting workshops or courses in English
- 23:06 E-cigarettes / Snus Recommendations.
- 22:03 Are Swedish girls "off limits" for...
- 21:52 Where to buy rubbing alcohol?
- 21:10 Marriage in Sweden-Need URGENT help
- 19:19 Summerburst 2013 festival
- 17:45 Does any business owner needs a partnership
- 15:33 What does Lagom really mean?
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
It only a 3.5% a year increase (not compound), so it's hardly staggering, it just shows a slow progressive rise in spare income. It's not like it leapt up 20% in the year following joining the EU, it's hard to believe some reporter or researcher has made an article of this!
Of course the consumption of milk and butter has declined, whilst pastries etc. have increased, people are buying ready made cakes, bread.. rather that baking their own, also in the days of old, the housewife stayed home, cooking etc.. now they work more and buy ready made goods. It's also where they are getting the additional income to spend on booze! The is very basic economics.
Do they have any specifics as to what would have happened if Sweden had not joined the EU?