Swedish cheese makers fear Norway import tariffs
Published: 14 Oct 12 08:19 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/43804/20121014/
Swedish dairy producers fear that massive hikes in tariffs on the import of cheese and meat into Norway will put an end to exports.
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The Norwegian government has mooted the massive hikes in import tariffs on cheese and meat products in its budget for 2013.
Hard cheeses are set to be subjected to import tariffs equating to 277 percent of their value. Tolls are currently 27 Norwegian kroner ($4.7), regardless of value.
Norway is also planning to raise tariffs on imports of lamb and beef.
Denmark has responded angrily to the new Norwegian import tariff regime, while Sweden is reluctant to enter into a "trade war" with their Scandinavian neighbours.
The Norwegian Agrarian Association (Norges Bondelag) however welcomed the move.
"It is absolutely crucial if we are to have a farming industry in Norway or not," according to Nils Björke at the association.
"If you look at the development in Sweden, where milk production is declining, this confirms that we have a duty to maintain agriculture. Customs tariffs limit the growth of imports and is a signal from the authorities that they want farming in Norway," he said.
The decision will have a significant impact on the Swedish cheese industry as Norway is currently the largest export market.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Somehow I can't see the vast majority of Swedish cheeses being foreseen as "luxury" or high quality items. And this is where Sweden will really feel the pressure as it will lead to Norwegians to offset any tax by ensuring that the reduced imports are justifiable with the tax levy.
So the bigger question is, are there justifiable profits in luxury cheeses in regards to export. And I would that require a higher quality of yield in regards to dairy - resulting in the need to import more of its base ingredients.
And on top of that it would also require skills in an industry which for many years has gone unchallenged. As "cheap" has sold. Which may be unrealistic for Sweden in regards to other nations who produce cheese and have a better reputation for quality.
"Two Swedes have been arrested by Norwegian police for smuggling more than 250kg of butter into the country, offloading one consignment for more than £25 a packet."
http://bit.ly/X8AJkM
If people risk arrest to smuggle butter in to Norway I think a Cheesy Crime Syndicate is soon to follow.
Look at the Nobel Peace Prize awards that Norway has given out and then try to think how you would reason with them???
http://www.thelocal.no/page/view/eu-anger-at-new-norway-tariff-plans
For a more in-depth view:
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2012/09/20/trade-war-looms-over-higher-tariffs/
As for cheese and meat, this is a perfect chance for Swedes to set up small farm shops on the border. Not massive supermarkets, but little enterprises where the locals sell to other private individuals. In every problem, there is a solution and the business minded folk will make the most of it, if they are sharp enough and quick off the mark.
In the 80/90s think how much those booze supermakets made in Calais and Bologne? Many were actually owned and run, by Brits. A clever Norwegian will set up a shop in Sweden as a partnership perhaps?
Good point. People in the rest of the Europe just cant see slow ruining of domestic products by cheap imports. EU is not so accommodating as it first looks like.