About the program

Food Data Finland drives the systemic development of data throughout the food chain. This means that the program develops common practices, more efficient operating models and new products and services for the use of data throughout the food chain. The aim is to increase the competitiveness of the Finnish food chain, both domestically and in terms of exports.

• Support operators to address data-related requirements.
• Create common approaches that bring efficiency and business value to the whole chain.
• Promote the data economy of the food chain.
• Support the internationalisation of companies through global standards.
• Support organisations' RDI activities with funding.

Changes in the operating environment of the food chain require more and more data flowing from one actor to another in the chain, i.e. common operating models and data interoperability.

• Increasing volume of data: The continuous growth of data sources and volume both challenges and enables business growth models.
• Regulatory requirements: The legislation require more and more extensive and accurate data management and reporting.
• Increasing data needs: Public authorities and consumers require more comprehensive and detailed information to support monitoring and choices.
• New funding requirements: Increasing data requirements for ESG financing will influence the management of corporate financing solutions.
• International competition ability and advantages: Data solutions require also international interoperability to enable both domestic competitiveness and exports.

This work should not be done alone, otherwise we end up with expensive stand-alone solutions that are not interoperable.

Working together, we can turn data from a burden into an asset.

Sharing knowledge and expertise: Food Data Finland provides an open and equal platform for organisations interested in the development of a data-driven food chain to meet and share information. The members can act as pioneers in the use of data in the food chain and use the new knowledge generated by the cooperation in their own business. The project will also share information on legislative changes and international trends and developments.

Efficiency and cost savings of development work: By developing together, the data will be structured to be compatible and easily shareable. In addition, everyone will have the opportunity to influence the processes and specifications of data sharing. By developing together, the data becomes structurally interoperable and therefore more mobile. On the other hand, it can be argued that not working together would lead to more separate projects in the sector, challenges in data flow, parallel systems and thus increased costs.

Competition ability and competitive advantages: By developing the use of data in the Finnish food chain, Food Data Finland aims to ensure that Finnish companies will continue to meet the data requirements of legislation in the future, and thus be able to compete internationally. In addition, companies will be better able to respond to the wishes and requirements of consumers, customers and authorities, which will enable them to gain various competitive advantages in both domestic and export markets.

Opportunity for project funding: Food Data Finland is a growth engine program partly funded by Business Finland. As Business Finland's mission is to support the international competitiveness and growth of Finnish companies, internationalisation is an integral part of Food Data Finland and its objectives. Business Finland provides funding for the program's product development and research projects aimed at international growth.