Regional changes in the Finnish dairy industry 1910-1967

Abstract

This is a study of the nature and causes of the regional changes in the number and unit size of dairies and in the location of dairy production in its different types in Finland in 1910–1967. The method is mainly cartographical. The genetic point of view proved applicable, as the causes of the present distri­bution of the Finnish dairy industry for the most part date back to the past.

Before the period studied, a so‑called milk dairy system (raw materials reached dairies in the form of milk) had been evolved in western Finland. Therefore small dairy units sprang up thickly in this part of the country. In sparsely populated eastern Finland a cream dairy system has long prevailed, and dairy units were fewer in number. Since the Second World War the unit size of dairies has grown especially in eastern and northern Finland mainly on account of enormous rise in milk production. The reasons were land settle­ment and clearance supported by the State, and milk production‑ and transport subsidies given by the State.

Historical factors played a great part also in localization of butter and cheese manufacturing in the south. Since the Second World War the importance of east and north grew considerably. This was also the result of the rise in milk pro­duction of these districts. A further reason for the transfer of cheese manu­facture to the north and east was its gradual mechanization. This has demanded great quantities of milk, and production has been directed to areas where dairies have the greatest milk reception. There are still butter‑ and especially cheese­making dairies too near the great consumption centres of the south. Price ratios for milk and dairy products fixed by the State have been the main reason why the dairy industry is not located fully in accordance with the system of Thünén.