(Nationen) On Monday, the state presented its offer to the farmers in this year’s agricultural negotiations. The offer has a limit of NOK 2.6 billion, and gives a possible increase in income of NOK 70,000.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food states that they attach great importance to limiting the agreement’s impact on food prices.
“The total increase in prices is estimated at 2.4 per cent. This is lower than expected price growth elsewhere in society,” the state’s offer states.
Increased living costs and weakened purchasing power in the population are also emphasized in agricultural policy, according to the offer.
“For a long time, food price increases in Norway were clearly lower than in neighboring countries, but in the last 12 months, food prices have increased by 6 per cent in Norway, while they have fallen by almost 1 per cent in Sweden and Denmark,” writes the ministry.
The government’s offer will mean an increase in food prices of NOK 350 per year for an average household, according to the ministry.
The state offers the farmers 2.6 billion
With the government’s offer, the income gap between farmers and other occupational groups is closed by NOK 45,000.
– The state is today delivering a good offer that follows up on the Storting report on increased self-sufficiency and income escalation. The offer shows that the escalation plan is being followed and it is planned to close a third of the income gap already in this year’s offer, says Viil Søyland, head of negotiations for the state.
The offer has a framework of NOK 2.62 billion. Over 1.9 billion is financed via transfers through the national budget.
Just over half a billion is brought in through increases in target prices for certain agricultural products. The government’s offer gives an expected price development of NOK 350 for an average household.
