Press release
22 July 2008
Ministry for Rural Affairs
Sweden - Europe's new culinary nation
The minister of Agriculture Mr. Eskil Erlandsson presented his and the Government of Swedens Foodvision - Sweden - the New Culinary Nation. The new national objective is that Sweden with its unique landscape, quality of food and knowledge will be Europe's new Culinary Nation.
-Sweden has all the conditions to be the foremost gastronomical country in Europe. We have fine raw materials, good traditions and fantastic cooks, says the minister of Agriculture, Eskil Erlandsson.
The Ministry of Agriculture has made a survey that shows 76 percent of the Swedish population are interested in a culinary experience while on vacation.
Today the turnover for tourism in Sweden is around 25 billion euros per year which can be compared to the turnover of export of private cars which is 7,5 billion euros per year.
- I am quite sure that food tourism can develop even further in our country. When I travel around Sweden I often meet capable entrepeneurs who work with food. Those who are primary producers, those who refine the raw materials and those who prepare the food. These capable people can help me and the Government to allow more companies and jobs to flourish in rural parts of Sweden says Eskil Erlandsson.
- This is the starting shot for the Culinary Nation -Sweden. I have plans in autumn to invite interesting entrepreneurs and people in the food branch to help me develop Culinary Nation - Sweden, concludes Eskil Erlandsson.
Contact
Sofia Carlsson
Political Adviser to the
Minister of Agriculture
Tel. +46 70 519 01 69
