The name “Organic Food Finland” was adopted in 2004 but our export activities started already in 1996. We exhibited at BioFach on a small stand showing products from several Finnish organic small manufacturers. The success story that evolved from this was the first organic liquorice  in the world. In 1997 we exported the first pallets from Makulaku Lakritsa to Dutch  TerraSana. In 2000 Erkki wrote “An Organic Internationalization Strategy for the Finnish Food Industry” together with Ms Maarit Ahola from Finpro. Cooperation with Helsinki Mills started in 2001 and with Finnamyl in 2003. The Export Group was officially started in September 2004. Altogether 17 companies have participated or are still participating in the Export Group. All of them have benefitted by getting more experienced  in international trade and most have realized at least some export business. For some organic export has become an important part of their business. With most of the companies that have left the Export Group the cooperation still continues in some form or the other.

Companies that have participated in the Export Group since 2004:

Makulaku Lakritsa Ltd (1997-2006)

Helsinki Mills Ltd  (2001-2011)

Finnamyl Ltd (2003 – ongoing)

Norrgård Ltd (2003 – 2009, cooperation ongoing)

Sysmän Luomuherkut Oy (2004-2005)

Maustaja Ltd (2005-2009, cooperation ongoing)

Virgino Ltd (2005-2011, cooperation ongoing)

Kiantama Ltd (2006-2010)

Laihian Mallas Ltd (2006-2008)

Koivulan Leipomo Oy (2006-2007)

Greenfinn’s (2008-2010)

Boströms Bageri Ltd (2008-2010)

Keskisen Mylly (2009 – ongoing)

Nordic Koivu  (2009 – ongoing)

ViiniVerla (2009 – ongoing)

Bioferme (2010-2011)

Linkosuo (2010 – 2011)