Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency has confirmed that the country is prepared for possible future crises. The national grain stocks, flexible agriculture and household readiness are all at an appropriate level. Finland is calling for similar action across Europe.
In an article in The Guardian, Miika Ilomäki, chief preparedness specialist at Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA), points out that Finland's approach makes the continuity of food supply a priority in the event of pandemics, cyber threats or geopolitical conflicts.
"Preparedness must be proactive, inclusive and deeply integrated into national strategy," the NESA specialist stressed. The country maintains strategic grain reserves, including wheat, oats, barley and rye, which are held at secure state locations. These stocks are rotated using a "first in, first out" method. They are intended to meet food needs for nine months should supply chains be disrupted.
Miika Ilomäki said that such reserves helped to reassure the public during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the early stages of the war in Ukraine. They stressed that society expects a functioning food system in times of crisis as well.
Finland's level of food self-sufficiency is around 80%. There are more than 40,000 farms in the country. In 2024, 74% of them were engaged in crop production and 20% in livestock farming. The average farm size is 56 hectares.
Miika Ilomäki, NESA's chief preparedness specialist, recalled the importance of these farms to national security, calling them the "backbone of the system". They pointed to local innovations, such as the development of the oilseed rape variety Aurea CL, optimised specifically for the Nordic countries, which supports domestic production of oil and protein-rich feed.
In addition to agriculture, Finland's food supply chain includes detailed emergency procedures in the field of logistics. These plans cover the rerouting of transport and the prioritisation of the most essential goods. Emergency fuel reserves ensure that food transport and agricultural machinery remain operational even in emergency situations.
NESA works closely with food producers, wholesalers and retailers to draw up joint contingency plans and to test them through practical exercises. According to M. Ilomäki, this public-private cooperation is not merely a strategy on paper but standard practice that can be put into effect immediately.
Households will also take part in the process. Under the 72-hour model, every household is advised to keep a three-day supply of food and water — that is five litres per person. The list of items needed for 72 hours, promoted in national campaigns, includes dried food, first aid supplies, iodine tablets, torches, battery-powered radios and other essentials.
This model, supported by information and education, has proved useful during natural disasters and cyber incidents.
M. Ilomäki points out that Finland's approach cannot be adopted directly everywhere, but its principles can be adapted. NESA stresses that Europe's interconnected food system remains vulnerable to external shocks, as the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and the effects of climate change are already affecting supplies.
The NESA specialist said that European countries should immediately build strategic reserves, secure a strong domestic production base, foster cooperation between government and industry, and prepare households for potential crisis situations.