Farmer expertise ensure oat quality
Raisio's local contract farmers play an important role in the quality of our oats. They select oat varieties suited to local growing conditions and apply their expertise throughout the growing season. Finland’s seasonal rainfall generally supports oat cultivation, while oats can grow in a range of soil types. Carefully planned nutrient management supports crop development, yield and grain quality.
High Standards for quality control
At every stage of the oat production process, quality is carefully monitored. Each truckload is sampled to check for moisture, protein, color, and kernel size, as well as impurities such as debris. To meet strict EU regulations, mycotoxin levels are also tested. Finnish oats are stored based on their quality and are typically used within a year. Finnish farmers receive quality bonuses for top-quality oats, ensuring that only the best oats make it into food production.
Large-scale oat production improves quality
Finland cultivates approximately 330,000 hectares of oats annually, producing around 1 million tons each year. Oats are the second most widely grown crop in Finland, after barley. As a staple of Finnish daily nutrition, oats are in high demand, fostering continuous interest in oat cultivation. This demand drives farmers to improve their expertise and increase the cultivated area. This, in turn, ensures a reliable supply of oats, even during less favourable harvest years.
Finnish oats in international markets
Finland exports a considerable share of its annual oat harvest, primarily to European markets. Depending on the harvest year, exports have represented approximately 30–40% of production. Building on more than 20 years of gluten-free oat expertise, Raisio supplies Finnish oat ingredients that support the evolving needs of food manufacturers amid continued interest in oat-based and gluten-free products.
