Icelanders are increasingly turning towards domestically-produced food and beverages. According to Statistics Iceland, the import of such products has decreased by almost 30 percent during the first four months of this year, compared to the same period in 2008.
From a grocery store in Reykjavík. Photo by Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir.
Gudmundur Marteinsson, managing director of the grocery store chain Bónus, told Morgunbladid that it is noticeable how customers prefer local food over imported products.
“For example, at this time last year we imported a considerable amount of beef and chicken but that has changed completely and very little has been imported this year,” Marteinsson said.
Marteinsson also mentioned coffee as an example of a changed consumption pattern. People are keen on purchasing coffee which is roasted and milled in Iceland. It has also become less expensive to bake buns in Iceland instead of importing them frozen from abroad, he added.
“People have access to the same products as last year, but this situation gives Icelandic products a much more competitive price,” Marteinsson concluded.
