The retail trade is taking the initiative to increase access to Ukrainian goods and give consumers an opportunity to easily support Ukraine in the grocery store.
We can all do something to help Ukraine, says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M) at a press conference at a grocery store in Stockholm.
On the table in front of him lie, among other things, Ukrainian honey and Ukrainian crackers.
Thanks to Sweden
The retail trade will facilitate Ukrainian suppliers' sales to Sweden, increase marketing of Ukrainian goods, and grocery stores will donate refrigerators and freezers to the war-torn country.
Just buying a product can make a difference for Ukraine's ability to defend itself, says Dousa.
Ukraine's Minister of Agriculture and Food Vitalij Koval also participated in the press conference and thanks Sweden for its support.
You understand our DNA, he says.
I am convinced that every product bought from grocery stores will be a strong message that Sweden stands behind Ukraine.
Russian Products
Ica's CEO Eric Lundberg hopes that the products' country-of-origin labeling will become clearer.
We will create conditions so that these products are visible on the shelves.
Peter Holm, Vice CEO of Axfood's logistics and purchasing company Dagab, says they have around ten Ukrainian products.
These crackers are eaten in the trenches.
At the same time, stores continue to sell Marabou chocolate from the food company Mondelez, which still has its operations in Russia. The owner has separated its Russian operations from the rest of the company since the outbreak of war.
We have removed the products that are directly produced in Russia, says Peter Holm and adds that they have also phased out Russian ingredients.
The Ukrainian minister urges Swedish consumers to think and act.
The correct thing would be to boycott, says Vitalij Koval.
