The young soprano from Ystad is the second opera star to receive the award; in 2004 it went to Anne Sofie von Otter.
After the ceremony at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, the surprised but happy laureate says the news has not yet sunk in.
"It was a bit of a blur. I think I even tripped when I got up," says Christina Nilsson.
She was nominated along with a renowned lineup of artists: Yung Lean, Ghost, Zara Larsson, and composer Ludwig Göransson.
"These are incredibly big names and you can't compare genres, but when I read the nominees I thought, 'Wow, what an honor to be nominated,'" says Christina Nilsson.
In addition to the award, she is pleased that the opera genre is now being recognized.
"It really feels great for the industry that what you do is being seen."
Newly-appointed court singer
The award was presented by Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M).
Christina Nilsson had her big breakthrough in 2018 in the role of Aida at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm. Last year she was appointed court singer, and among the international stages she has appeared on are Covent Garden in London and the Metropolitan in New York.
How is she going to top this?
"I have some really fun things coming up that I'm looking forward to. Next year I'm going to Salzburg for the Easter Festival and will be doing my first Sieglinde in "Die Walküre" with Kirill Petrenko conducting and the Berlin Philharmonic."
As early as Saturday, April 25, Christina Nilsson will be performing at the Royal Swedish Opera as Liù in Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot".
The Hives receive honorary award
The Government's Honorary Award goes to the rock band The Hives and a special honorable mention goes to Max Martin and Shellback's production company MXM for their work on the latest Taylor Swift album.
"It feels good, a bit like a gold watch for long and faithful service. You have to think about how long you've actually been at it, at the absolute top level, and it's fun," says Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, singer in The Hives.
Back in 2002, The Hives received the export award.
"Back then I don't even think I wanted to accept the award, because I didn't think government and rock 'n' roll had anything to do with each other. So then everyone else was there and accepted the award. But today it's me, so now I've healed the schism between me and all Swedish governments for the past 20 years," says Almqvist, laughing.
The Music Export Prize was established in 1997 and is awarded each year to Swedes who have achieved international success and contributed to a positive image of Sweden abroad.
Previous winners:
1997: The Cardigans
1998: Max Martin
1999: Cheiron Productions
2000: Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
2001: Roxette
2002: The Hives
2003: Esbjörn Svensson Trio
2004: Anne Sofie von Otter
2005: In Flames
2006: Jose Gonzalez
2007: Bloodshy & Avant
2008: Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
2009: Mando Diao
2010: Robyn
2011: Swedish House Mafia
2012: Shellback
2013: Avicii
2014: Max Martin
2015: Tove Lo
2016: Zara Larsson
2017: Noonie Bao
2018: Ludwig Göransson
2019: Ghost
2020: Oscar Holter
2021: Abba
2022: First Aid Kit
2023: Loreen
2024: Ilya Salmanzadeh
2025: Christina Nilsson
