Berry picking becomes viable career option in Sodankylä with fair pricing

In Sodankylä, 22-year-old student and seasonal worker Johanna Rae supplements her income by picking berries, sometimes earning enough to support herself during summer. She explains, “Berry picking can provide a decent living if the payment for the berries is fair. At two euros per kilo for blueberries, it wouldn’t be sustainable; however, if the price rises to eight euros per kilo, it becomes viable for full-time work.”

Rae sells her berry harvests to acquaintances and to Tiia Muotkavaara, who runs “Pohjoisesta luonnosta,” a local business. The company pays Rae between eight to ten euros per kilo for blueberries, depending on whether they are cleaned. In addition to blueberries, Rae also picks cloudberries and lingonberries. Muotkavaara emphasizes that they offer a “fair price,” equivalent to what pickers could earn by selling on social media or online marketplaces, contrasting with other companies that pay significantly less.

Tiia Muotkavaara, who moved to Lapland in 2016, notes the ongoing issue of insufficient raw materials, citing that inadequate compensation for pickers has made sourcing difficult. She recalls her own experience in 2017 when testing the market with a promise of four to five euros per kilo, which proved inadequate.

Despite the challenges, Muotkavaara receives multiple inquiries from prospective pickers daily but currently employs around 20 due to limited orders. She feels that increased demand could allow her pickers to sustain themselves financially. Rae, however, disputes claims about Finns’ reluctance to pick berries, asserting that proper pricing and better marketing would encourage participation in berry picking.

Kemijärvi’s food services also pay eight euros per kilo for blueberries, recognizing that offering fair compensation is essential for securing quality berries. The city aims to source around 300 kilos of blueberries and at least 500 kilos of lingonberries from local pickers this year, as it emphasizes supporting local food production.