Targeted research to improve domestic vegetable production

Iceland, Iceland

Activity Type

Production, consumption, waste

Description

Iceland is in a unique position due to its sub-arctic climate that limits the amount of possible open-air agricultural production and increases the need for food imports. On the other hand, Iceland obtains all its energy from renewable sources (hydropower and geothermal energy), making it cheap and sustainable.

This opportunity is used to drastically increase local production of vegetables in greenhouses, which are both necessary to use in Iceland and economically feasible due to the availability of cheap, renewable energy that is also locally produced.

As greenhouses can be built directly within or close to city limits, this is an opportunity to reduce transport costs and environmental impact, while increasing freshness of food products on the market. Currently, 12% of all greenhouse production within Iceland is directly located in the capital city region.

Multiple related initiatives and research projects have been initiated in collaboration between Icelandic research institutes, local producers and food companies, and the Icelandic government, to further increase this local production by increasing acceptance of domestic food by consumers.

These projects have i.e., the aim to collect data on the chemical content of food from Icelandic agriculture and to shed light on the uniqueness and importance of domestic production. This is done in comparison to imported produce to supply the Icelandic food industry with tools that help it to strengthen its position and convey to buyers the uniqueness and loyalty of domestic production.