Where’s the Beef? Finland’s Empty Shelves Boost Tofu & Tempeh

LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE

Did you know Finland’s beef chillers are looking a little barren? It’s not just a short-term supply glitch. The country’s beef shortage is now expected to drag all the way to 2027, and locals are already switching up their plates.

The Helsinki Times reports a slump in calf numbers, labour shortages, and ongoing farming pressures have triggered a three-year red meat drought. And while the usual fallback might be pork or poultry, a growing number of Finns are quietly discovering the power of tofu, tempeh, and those chewy oat-based burger patties.

Yes, oat burgers. Welcome to the Nordics.

Source:  © Mara Robinson | Dreamstime.com - Empty meat chillers

According to agriculture analysts, this isn’t just a fleeting Cowpocalypse, it’s structural. Fewer calves are being born, small-scale farmers are exiting the sector, and Finland’s cold climate means there’s no easy fix with imported beef from down south. Plus, feed costs and energy prices haven’t exactly helped.

Instead of crying over an empty steak tray, many Finns are seeking alternatives. Plant-based options are gaining ground not as trendy green alternatives but as necessary protein stand-ins. Consumers are discovering chickpeas, lentils, and local pea protein taste a whole lot better than an empty dinner plate.

It begs the question - could this be the moment for Nordic alt-protein to really stake its claim? Finland has already flirted with oat milk dominance (hello, Fazer), and its biotech sector isn’t shy when it comes to fermentation, food tech, or cell-based possibilities. Solar Foods remember have developed protein from fresh air with its Solein protein powder.

We’re not saying Finland’s about to become the Singapore of the North… but if the meat’s not coming back, something’s got to fill the protein void. And it probably won’t have four legs.

So if you’re in Finland, expect more oat schnitzels and less sirloin. If you’re outside it, take this as a warning shot as food systems built around livestock are creaking under climate, cost, and care issues.

This isn’t just a Finnish problem. It’s a fork-in-the-road moment for protein choices across the globe. And right now, tofu’s looking like the one with the most staying power.

Audio Sponsors Link

ENDS: