Traditional lump, granulated and powdered sugar may disappear from store shelves completely. In shopping malls, it is not believed that Finns will start hoarding products.
Domestic sugar cubes may soon be history. Elle Laitila
Suomen Sokeri announced that it is starting change negotiations, as a result of which the production of Finnish lump, powdered and granulated sugar is to be completely stopped.
At the same time, the manufacturing of these products would end completely in Finland. However, the production of household sugar and liquid sugar products continues.
The two largest players in the Finnish grocery trade, Kesko and the S group, do not believe that Finns will start hoarding products.
– Of course, it would be a shame if part of the sugar production in Finland ends. According to our information, at least during this year, no changes to the current situation are expected, says Kesko’s grocery purchasing and sales director Created by the wind.
– If some of the Finnish sugar products run out in the future, we will map out alternative sources for production, including together with Suomen Soker, he says.
Luoma does not believe that store shelves will be empty of sugar if Finnish production stops.
– We are taking the necessary measures to ensure availability and we believe that there is no need for hoarding, Luoma praises the Finns.
No need for hoarding
Sales Manager Mikko Kovalainen The S-group market shop says that Suomen Sokeri is an important and largest sugar supplier for them, but in addition to that, they also have other suppliers for sugar.
– We get both granulated sugar and special sugars from several sources, and our own brand products come from Europe through Coop Trading. The procurement of sugar is therefore not dependent on one supplier, says Kovalainen.
According to Kovalainen, the S group does not expect the shelves to be empty of sugar.
– Suomen Sokeri’s news specifically concerns certain products, i.e. the production of lump and granulated sugar. If their domestic production ends, there are replacement products already ready in Europe. In addition, granulated sugar and other sugar products are available from other suppliers, so there will be enough sugar for customers in the future, he says.
– We don’t expect hoarding. It is not about the end of the availability of sugar, but about changes in individual product forms, for which there are alternatives.
Sugar will be well available in the future as well, and there is no need for consumers to prepare for the situation.
CEO of Sucros Tero Tanner previously told Iltalehti that the reason behind the decision is, among other things, the changed purchasing behavior of consumers.
At this point, it is not yet possible to say when domestic lump, granulated and powdered sugar will disappear from grocery stores.