Butter shortage puts the knife into Norwegian Christmas plans

guardia.co.uk ^ | 14 Dec 2011 | Audrey Anderson

[smokingfrog]

Scandinavia's butter crisis is spreading. First Sweden ran into supply problems, in part blamed on a television chef urging everyone to use butter. Now Norwegians are facing a similar squeeze, as butter stocks have mysteriously melted away, sending prices soaring and shoppers frantically buying up slabs of the stuff wherever they see it.

Imports and distribution have become sporadic at best, and as soon as word gets out about a delivery, butter disappears from the shelves within minutes.

With the sense of national crisis deepening, the national daily Aftenposten ran a two-page spread with instructions on how to make your own butter. It's all a big disappointment for the domestic goddesses of the north for whom butter is a standard Christmas staple.

"I need butter today to make my lussekatt buns and my Christmas biscuits," grumbled one elderly Norwegian. "I brought up my four children under German occupation but this is nothing like that."

[BfloGuy]

Norway imposes serious tariffs on imported butter -- to protect their inefficient domestic farmers, of course. Looks like state-regulated trade bit them in the assenflabben.

[smokingfrog]

Tine’s chief executive Hanne Refsholt for the past seven years, meanwhile, has been completely absent during the butter crisis. As DN reported earlier this autumn, she’s taken a leave of absence for a full year at full pay, to recharge batteries and study management issues at schools in Paris and Oxford.

... and the perks aren't bad either ...

[Charles Martel]

First Sweden ran into supply problems, in part blamed on a television chef urging everyone to use butter.

Paula is evil and must be stopped. ;-)

[mikey_hates_everything]

I saw plenty at Costco and BJ’s. Oh well, Norway.

[Mrs. B.S. Roberts]

lol. Thanks I needed a good laugh today. Besides, I adore Master Yoda!

[blueunicorn6]

Lutefisk without butter? Communism....pure and simple.....communism.

[netmilsmom]

Maybe they have a higher percentage of butterfat in their milk? They leave more cream before homogenizing?

[Reeses]

They will blame global warming and claim world socialism is the solution.

[reformedliberal]

You get about 6oz of butter from a pint of cream...maybe a tad more. That will also depend on which breed of cow gave the milk. Jerseys give the most, IIRC. Also, you need milk which is not homogenized, in order to get cream from the milk, itself.

My husband is Norwegian on his father’s side. The recipes call for pounds of the stuff.

I think I read that the problem has to do with availability of pasture for the cows, who are not producing as much milk.

[bjorn14]

Yep. Spring rains destroyed a lot of hay and grazing pastures up in the central valleys. But the bigger problem is that Tine is arrogant as hell.

[bjorn14]

Yep. Spring rains destroyed a lot of hay and grazing pastures up in the central valleys. But the bigger problem is that Tine is arrogant as hell.

[pbmaltzman]

I get Kerrygold butter at my local Trader Joe's.

Same here. TJ's has a good price on the stuff.

[pbmaltzman]

The local Amish and Hutterite communities sel lthe best-tasting butter we’ve ever had. We buy it in 2 and 3 pound chubs.

I've heard good things about their products. If I ever see some of it for sale, will buy some.

I have tried raw butter and it is mighty good stuff.