FINEST - Swedish berries in healthy food
One of FINEST goals is contributing to development of the North Swedish berry industry and promote increased use of berries in healthy and tasty foods. We will, among other things, develop new berry refining processes. The purpose is building a biorefinery for forest berries where new attractive food- and health ingredients are produced.
Sweden is one of the largest producers of wild berries in Europe, with a total biological yield estimated at more the 550 000 tons, mainly bilberries, lingonberries, crowberries and cloudberries. Still, only 2-5 % of the berries are utilized. There is a great potential in making the wild berry industry grow.
Berry research is a hot area. Scientific papers are regularly published on how berries can promote human health in future products. Compared to many other countries, Swedish wild berry research is very limited, and has little focus on knowledge based product- and business development. Through prior projects together with small producers, RISE has identified a potential for new products and a new process industry enabling an improvement of the Swedish berry value chain.
The World market for health ingredients is dominated by China and Japan. Both countries produce anthocyanin rich extracts, from bilberries.
The target for FINEST is placing Sweden I the front row of berry industry, by promoting and supporting the development of the Swedish wild berry value chain. We want to see the Swedish wild berry industry reach a high and compatible standard compared to China and japan.
The development of the Swedish wild berry value chain will create new jobs and place Sweden in a role of being a world leading producer of wild berry products.
Summary
Project name
FINEST - Swedish berries in healthy food
Status
Active
RISE role in project
Coordinator
Project start
Duration
4 years
Project website
Supports the UN sustainability goals
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action