Vad gör bonden när brödkorgen brinner? En kvalitativ fallstudie om svenska mjölkbönders situation i skuggan av kriget i Ukraina

Sammanfattning: This is a qualitative case study that has examined the perceived effects from the Russia-Ukraine war on dairy farms located in Sweden. By using semi structured interviews, six different farmers have been interviewed in order to understand how their businesses have been affected by the consequences from the war in Ukraine. A theoretical framework has been constructed by using economic sustainability, food security and deglobalization in order to analyse the data gathered from the interviews. The results show that no farm had been negatively affected in any major way, most stated the opposite, that the increased milk price had created a good profitability throughout 2022. But the results also suggest that economic sustainability can be difficult to maintain within this field, as the farms are affected by a multitude of economic factors outside of their control. The effects from the war have also showcased that their branch is vulnerable to a lot of risks, closely linked to reliance on imported agricultural inputs and fluctuations on the market – which in theory could pose as a partial threat to the national food security. Lastly, the dairy farmers noted that the war has contributed to setting the debate surrounding the importance of having a self-sufficient food industry in Sweden. This was something they very much welcomed but were not as convinced if it will lead to any substantial change.