After four decades in fruit production, a Danish farmer uproots his orchard due to dwindling sales. A new strategy aims to rescue Denmark’s struggling fruit and vegetable sector before it disappears entirely.
Danish Fruit Farm Closes After 42 Years
Once surrounded by blooming apple and pear trees, a farm near Guldborg on the island of Lolland now has only seven trees left. Former orchardist Lars Skou Hansen has shut down Guldborgland Fruit Plantation after more than 40 years in business. The decision followed years of financial losses and limited demand for locally grown fruit, forcing Hansen to transition to other agricultural activities such as sugar corn production and leasing his land.
Hansen said it is increasingly difficult to maintain profitability in the industry. Denmark’s high production costs, strict environmental regulations, and fierce competition from cheaper foreign imports made it nearly impossible for his fruit businesses to survive.
Domestic Fruit Makes Up Just 10% of Sales
According to figures from the organization Madkulturen, only 1 in 10 fruits sold in Danish supermarkets are grown in Denmark. For vegetables, about 25 percent are domestically produced. These declining numbers highlight the increasing dominance of imported goods in Danish grocery stores.
Rising costs and stagnant consumer support have taken a toll on many local producers. While Danish consumers often express a preference for homegrown goods, price continues to be the most influential factor. Locals in Kalundborg said they would prefer to purchase Danish fruit and vegetables but often opt for foreign products due to lower prices, sometimes questioning how imported produce can be cheaper than locally-available items.
New Recommendations to Revive Danish Produce
To counter the decline, Madkulturen’s think tank, called Madtanken, has introduced 16 recommendations to strengthen the country’s fruit and vegetable sector. The goal is to reverse the import trend and make Danish products more appealing and affordable for both consumers and institutions.
Some of the proposed solutions include reducing taxes on produce, launching a national 10-year plan to increase production, and enhancing education around healthy and seasonal eating – especially targeting schools and public institutions. Other suggestions focus on cutting red tape for growers, updating EU agricultural subsidies, and emphasizing visibility and marketing of Danish produce.
Grocery Stores Prioritize Danish Goods
Some local grocers are already working to promote domestic fruit and vegetables. In Kalundborg, the supermarket chain Meny has agreements with regional producers that allow them to offer locally sourced seasonal goods at competitive prices. These partnerships not only reduce transportation costs but also aim to support smaller-scale Danish farmers and maintain some level of local food production.
Despite the supermarket’s efforts, many shoppers still gravitate toward whichever options are cheaper, highlighting the need for significant political and systemic changes to level the playing field.
Government Steps In with Financial Aid
The Danish government recognizes the challenges faced by domestic fruit and vegetable growers. Recently, around 165 million Danish kroner (about 24 million dollars) was allocated to assist approximately 150 horticultural businesses in the country. The fund will help offset new CO₂-related taxes and support farms already struggling financially.
Food Minister Jacob Jensen acknowledged the urgency of stabilizing the industry, citing both food security and quality as reasons to maintain Danish fruit and vegetable production. While some in the field welcome the government’s assistance and Madtanken’s initiatives, others, like Hansen, remain skeptical that these efforts are enough to reverse decades of decline.
Urgent Call for Change
Madkulturen’s executive director has called the situation a “last call” to address what has become a national issue. She stressed that without coordinated action from politicians, retailers, farmers, and consumers, the already diminishing sector could vanish entirely.
Back in Lolland, the fields behind Hansen’s remaining fruit trees have been rented out to a neighboring farm. While he supports the proposals in principle, Hansen is doubtful that reforms will arrive in time to prevent the collapse of Danish fruit cultivation.
A Future at Risk
Denmark’s fruit and vegetable sector is at a critical juncture. The proportion of locally grown produce has dropped dramatically since the 1960s, when almost all vegetables and half of the fruits consumed were produced domestically. Without immediate and sustained intervention, experts warn that Danish-grown fruits might soon be only a memory.
