Ekologisk nötköttsproduktion i Gävleborgs län
The objective of this study was to make an inventory and a potential analysis of the organic beef
production in the region of Gävleborg, Sweden. A survey was conducted, where a questionaire
was sent to all farmers in the region who had environmental subsidies concerning organic
cropping systems in 2001. In total, there were 701 farmers, of which 46 % participated in the
study. Three slaughter houses were interviewed to get their pictures of the development of
organic beef production. The study shows that there are potentials and interests in the region to
increase the production of organic beef. Cattle on farms with organic cropping systems constitute
18 % of the total number of cattle in the region. However, in the study only 42 % of the farms
with organic cropping systems have cattle reared organicly according to EU rules for organic
animal production. Furthermore, only 18 % of the farms with organic cropping systems are
associated to KRAV (the organic certification organisation). The cost for certifying production
according to KRAV is high if the production is small. Several of the farmers in the study would
have certified their production according to KRAV if the certification was less expensive, as
many farms have too small of a production to get a certification profitable. Another problem for
an increased production of organic beef in the region is the lack of demand. Slaughter houses and
food industry cannot sell all the organic beef that can be produced. Local operators could give
the organic beef a positive development. Product development, exposure and marketing of the
products are necessary to give the consumers possibilities to explore and choose organic beef.