Tor Jacob Solberg, leader of the Norwegian Farmers and Smallholders Union, announced that farmers have demanded 4.2 billion kroner to cover rising costs and close a 63,000 kroner income gap by 2027, a target set by the Stortinget.
According to Solberg, after the US and Israel attacked Iran, prices of diesel and artificial fertilizer have shot up. He noted that some analysts have suggested that fertilizer prices could increase by as much as 60% if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened for normal traffic. Solberg also said that the price of tax-free diesel used by farmers has increased by more than 35% in recent weeks.
Solberg said the farmers' unions want increased costs to be fully compensated, and they believe the demand will have very little impact on consumers. He stated that grain, vegetable, and potato production are prioritized to strengthen self-sufficiency, while sheep and suckler cow production are prioritized because they have the lowest income.
Solberg noted that the budget committee for agriculture showed in mid-April that the income gap between farmers and other groups was 63,300 kroner last year, and it increased. He emphasized that productions that contribute most to self-sufficiency have a poor economy, according to Solberg, which threatens food preparedness in Norway. Without artificial fertilizer, food production would be drastically reduced, Solberg warned, citing Yara's management's belief that nearly half of the world's food production is based on artificial fertilizer. Helene Marie Grov, leader of Dalsbygda Bondelag, said that the understanding of food production is still not good enough.