common Distribution and storage of apples – a feasibility study
Collaboration for common solutions in the food chain
About the project
This feasibility study aims to create better conditions for the storage and distribution of Sörmland apples.
The background is that Sörmland has a growing apple production, where many growers have young apple stocks and manage their operations on a small scale and artisanal basis. Now that both the number of growers and harvests are increasing significantly, there is a need for new, more professionalized processes and equipment to be implemented in order for the operations to be competitive and for the producers to be able to scale up. Instead of each grower making all the investments and learning everything on their own, the project group sees an opportunity for better and more efficient solutions if they join forces and create a common solution for those growers with larger volumes who have similar management needs.
In the project, the project owner Valinge Gård collaborates with Hem till Forssa (apple orchard) and Tiefensee apple orchard.
There is also local collaboration and networking within the feasibility study with the Sörmlandsäpplen Association, Sörmlands Matkluster, Frönäs Gård, Ramsunds gård, Solmyra smakfullt, Kälbro trädgård and Stora Lundby apple orchard.
The cooperation project takes place in Leader Södermland Coast and in Leader Södermankand: read more on their website.
The feasibility study is ongoing in 2025-2026.
Photo (large image): Valinge farm
ABOUT THE PROJECT
”"We want to professionalize the industry through collaboration between growers, make the industry more attractive to new growers, and create an efficient system for post-processing, sales, logistics and distribution of Sörmland apples"”
Why was the project prioritized?
LAG assesses that the project has a strong local anchoring and responds to a clearly identified need for increased capacity for processing local fruit, especially outside the traditional must season. By establishing a year-round must factory, a concrete and long-term solution is created that strengthens food security, reduces waste and contributes to the development of a sustainable local beverage culture.
The project is also considered to have good potential to create lasting effects through business development, jobs and continued collaboration with actors such as Sörmlands Äppelodlarförening, local restaurants and food clusters. The project has a clear business focus combined with societal benefit, contributing to several goals within the Leader Sörmlandskusten strategy – in particular increased access to local food, strengthened local economy and sustainable rural development.
About the project
The project is being implemented
2025-2026
Project owner
Valinge Agricultural AB
Project Manager
Thomas Skoog, hemtillforssa@gmail.com
Jenny Gullstrand, jenny@valingegard.se
Purpose and goals
Purpose: to investigate the possibilities of - through structured collaboration and shared use of resources (premises, equipment, transport solutions and working hours) - creating an efficient and sustainable value chain for apple growing in Sörmland.
CASE:to identify the best location and organization for a joint logistics center for apple growers in Sörmland, compiled in a report.
About financing
Granted support in the rural development programme
Project support: SEK 90,450
LAG pot: 44,550 SEK
Total project budget
135,000 SEK
Support rate: 100 %
Incoming EU funds have been granted from:
Rural Development Fund
The support from the rural development programme consists of funding from the EU and the state.
