Emergency Supply Agency denies rumours of foreign grain purchases

Yle reports that Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency has not bought foreign grain and is not currently making any grain purchases.

Rumours circulating on social media claimed that the agency was filling its grain reserves with imported grain while Finland’s harvest season was under way. The claims sparked concern and discussion, including among members of Parliament.

Finnish newspaper Suomenmaa also reported on the issue before later correcting its story. Centre Party MP Eerikki Viljanen was among those who commented on the claims on social media.

“The National Emergency Supply Agency has not bought grain from abroad, nor are we currently making any grain purchases,” said Jukka Peltola, an expert in food supply preparedness at the agency.

The agency last purchased grain in 2023, when the target level for emergency food reserves was raised from six months to nine months.

Peltola said Finland’s domestic grain situation was currently good and that there was no apparent need to consider imports.

He said he did not know where the social media rumours had originated, but added that it was positive that emergency supply issues were receiving attention.