The employment in the fruit and vegetables processing sector in Sweden has seen a significant decline over the past decade, from 3.72 thousand Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) in 2013 to 2.27 thousand FTE in 2023. The sector experienced sharp fluctuations, with significant decreases in 2016, 2017, and 2018, followed by a small uptick in 2019, but the overall trend remained negative. The employment declined by approximately 43% from 2013 to 2023. The year-on-year variations over the past two years show a continuous decrease, with -3.1% in 2022 and -3.2% in 2023. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years has been -4.14%.
Looking forward, the forecast indicates the employment will continue its downward trend, declining from 2.27 thousand FTE in 2023 to 1.91 thousand FTE by 2028. The forecasted five-year CAGR is -2.73%, with an overall projected growth rate of -12.94% over this period.
Future trends to watch for include advancements in automation and technology within the processing industry, which may further reduce the demand for manual labor. Additionally, changes in consumer preferences and potential market expansions or contractions driven by economic or political factors could impact employment levels. Monitoring sustainability initiatives and government regulations will also be crucial, as these could influence employment dynamics in the fruit and vegetables processing sector.
