Finnish wild berry shortage impacts tourism in Lapland

Finnish wild berries are being marketed to foreign tourists heading to Lapland, but businesses now face a potential berry shortage this winter. The issue stems from allegations of exploitation involving Thai berry pickers, leading to concerns in Thailand about sending workers to Finland. It remains unclear how many pickers will arrive this summer, but the short season for lingonberries has already posed challenges.

In response, Lapland Hotels, the largest hotel chain in the region, is urgently seeking ways to ensure an adequate supply of northern blueberries, lingonberries, and cloudberries for the winter season. Chef Tero Mäntykangas explained that decisions for the next season have not yet been made, and the situation is uncertain. It is possible that the availability of cloudberries at hotel breakfasts will be limited to certain days. Traditionally, cloudberries have been offered based on the season and specific hotel offerings, and they serve as a highlight for tourists eager to experience Finland’s pristine natural bounty.

The situation for blueberries is slightly better, as cultivated blueberries can be used in certain recipes, but many dishes rely solely on wild berries. Antero Ylävaara, an entrepreneur at the Kuukkeli shopping center, reported purchasing as many berries as possible from local pickers this year, paying €13.50 per kilogram. While there may be enough domestic berries for local processing needs, availability issues are likely to drive up prices.

Ylävaara predicts that Lapland’s tourist centers may increasingly rely on foreign berries, which are cheaper and more readily available. However, at Lapland Hotels, there is a strong preference for sourcing domestically. Mäntykangas emphasized that using foreign berries would dilute their identity as a provider of authentic local experiences. The hotel chain sources its berries from both domestic and Swedish Lapland pickers, balancing ecological considerations with logistics and processing needs.