The Norwegian government's trade and industry committee has decided to issue a permanent border trade barometer by 1 July, the NHO Mat og Drikke (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise for food and drinks) has said.
The government will also present a case to the Parliament, elaborating on measures to reduce border trade to strengthen competitiveness in Norwegian businesses and industries.
'A Clear Recognition'
Petter Haas Brubakk of NHO Mat og Drikke said, "The committee's decision is a clear recognition of how large and extensive Norwegians' cross-border trade abroad is.
"During normal times, cross-border trade is a challenge for the entire value chain for food and drink in Norway, and the fact that the Parliament now expects more knowledge and concrete measures from the government has our wholehearted support."
In 2019, cross-border trade amounted to NOK16 billion, according to Statistics Norway's quarterly cross-border trade statistics.
The Largest Competitor
Cross-border trade is the largest competitor to the Norwegian food and beverage industry, the trade body added.
From 2009 to 2019, cross-border trade grew by more than 55%, with product groups with high taxes seeing the steepest growth.
These primarily include sweets, soft drinks and mineral water, alcoholic beverages, snuff and tobacco.
In 2019, these products accounted for 51% of total cross-border trade, while ordinary groceries accounted for 34%.
Haas Brubakk explained, "It is the food and beverage industry that bears the greatest burden with cross-border trade, and it is therefore very gratifying that the Trade and Industry Committee has decided that the government must present a case to the Parliament as soon as possible with measures to reduce cross-border trade."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
