Amid growing concerns over drone activity near Denmark’s airports, Denmark is seeing a dramatic rise in public interest in emergency preparedness, with specific products like canned mackerel and emergency radios flying off store shelves.
Drone Incidents Spark Widespread Prepping Activity
Over the past week, Denmark has seen a spike in interest in emergency preparedness – commonly referred to as “prepping” – following multiple incidents involving drones disrupting airspace over several airports across the country. The increased anxiety over infrastructure vulnerability has translated into a significant increase in demand for survival-related supplies both online and in physical stores alike.
The online supermarket Nemlig reported four times the usual number of visits to its prepping product page on Tuesday. By the following day, actual purchases from the site’s prepping section had surged by 25% compared to average sales. While interest has since tapered somewhat, activity remains well above normal levels.
Retailers See Massive Surge in Prepper Product Sales
At retail chain Biltema, customer behavior mirrored what was seen last year after public safety advice from Denmark’s acting defense minister encouraged citizens to be prepared to survive for 72 hours without power or water. The company noted a noticeable uptick in foot traffic and prepper-related sales, especially in items like emergency radios, portable generators, and water containers.
Perhaps most dramatically, specialty gear retailer Grejfreak reported a staggering 700% increase in sales of preparedness supplies. The store, originally focused on military and outdoor gear, saw significant demand not only for freeze-dried food and water filtration systems but also for communication tools that function independently of traditional telecom infrastructure.
Top-Selling Products: From Mackerel to Radios
Sales data highlights which items Danish consumers are prioritizing during this wave of concern. At Nemlig, canned mackerel has seen sales double, becoming the unlikely hero of Danish prepping efforts. Canned tuna and crispbread rose by 50%, while bottled water and pasta saw a 33% increase.
In contrast, Grejfreak customers are focusing more on technology-based survival tools. Emergency radios, water purification equipment, and long-life food are among the most sought-after products. These are also top sellers at Biltema, where customers are securing portable gas stoves and backup generators to ensure preparedness during potential service disruptions.
Everyday Danes Turning to Preparedness Strategies
One such prepper is Troels Elverskov, a resident of Hillerød. A routine power outage nearly two decades ago inspired him to think seriously about his ability to cope during extended blackouts or service failures. Since then, he has amassed an impressive collection of supplies that would allow him and his family to survive for more than a month without external assistance.
Elverskov’s stockpile includes large quantities of ready-to-eat foods such as canned goods, noodles, oatmeal and granola bars. He also maintains a supply of bottled water and keeps survival essentials like sleeping bags, fire starters, and even seeds to grow his own crops when needed. His gear is meticulously organized in labeled boxes to help track categories and avoid food wastage.
From Necessities to Comfort Items
Once basic needs are covered, some preppers in Denmark are branching into conveniences that would allow for some quality of life in crisis scenarios. This includes means of communication that don’t rely on traditional networks. Having backup tech such as signal-boosting antennas or handheld radios is a growing trend among seasoned preppers, allowing for longer-range contact when mobile networks fail.
Elverskov continues to experiment with such systems, considering it both a form of self-reliance and a hobby. He rotates and uses his pantry stock routinely to prevent waste and ensure that nothing expires, stating that such practical use means the effort is never wasted, even in the absence of an actual disaster.
Retailers Prepare for Long-Term Demand
With consumer interest showing no sign of abating, companies are scaling up. Biltema has ordered significant additional inventory from its central warehouse in Sweden to meet expected demand. Similarly, Grejfreak co-owner Casper Pedersen stated that after the initial surge experienced last year, the store has strategically increased its inventory to ensure availability during future demand spikes.
Whether driven by drone incidents or broader global uncertainties, Denmark’s shift toward preparedness is rooted in a desire for control in uncertain times. What started as a niche interest is becoming part of the national mindset.
