The Arctic as a food-producing region

I ce land • Marine bioresources play a key role in the bioeconomy of Iceland. Import of food, feed and fertilizers to the region indicates opportunities to increase self-sufficiency, especially with cross sectoral utilisation of side products. • Export of fish and fish products are by far the most important food export items from Iceland. In 2016 about 596 thousand tons fish products were exported for revenue of about 246,000 million ISK. • There are about 3,000 small family-owned sheep farms in Iceland. The challenges for sheep farmers are low income and the need for off-farm employment. Innovation, product development and added value products are very much needed in the sheep value chain. • Geothermal energy makes the production of various vegetables possible in Iceland. This sector can be developed considerably. • The production of the old Icelandic dairy product skyr has increased greatly in Iceland and abroad. A total volume of about 1,300 tons are exported annually for a value of about 500 million ISK.