how to start farming in Norway, Norway agriculture guide, Norwegian farm subsidies, Innovation Norway grants, Landbruksdirektoratet support, farming in cold climate, EU farmer in Norway, buy farm land in Norway, profitable crops in Norway
- 🌍 Why Start Farming in Norway?
Despite a challenging climate, Norway has one of the most organized, well-supported, and innovative farming systems in the world.
✅ Highly subsidized sector
✅ Clean water, fertile valleys
✅ Low corruption, high-quality infrastructure
✅ Strong domestic demand for local, organic food
✅ High prices per product unit compared to EU
✅ Government supports small farms and family agriculture
- 🌿 Understanding Norway’s Agricultural Landscape
Feature Details
Total Farmland ~3% of land area (~1 million ha)
Main Farming Areas Eastern Norway, Trøndelag, Rogaland
Climate Temperate in South, Arctic in North
Avg. Farm Size 25–40 hectares
Main Crops Barley, oats, wheat, potatoes
Livestock Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry
- 🌾 Types of Farming Suited for Norway
Crops:
Barley
Potatoes
Wheat (in warmer regions)
Vegetables (carrots, cabbage, onions)
Berries (strawberries, cloudberries, lingonberries)
Forage grass for animals
Livestock:
Dairy cattle
Sheep
Goats
Chickens
Pigs
Special:
Reindeer farming (especially in Sámi regions)
Arctic greenhouses (using geothermal/LED tech)
Agri-tourism farms
Organic herb farming
- 🏡 Land Ownership in Norway
Norwegian Citizens:
✅ Can freely own land
✅ Inheritance is common
✅ Must follow Bo- og driveplikt: must live and farm on property
EU/EEA Citizens:
✅ Can own property under EEA agreement
✅ Can register a company and purchase agricultural land
✅ Must still respect Norwegian laws (see below)
Non-EU Foreigners:
❌ Cannot directly own farmland
✅ Can lease land
✅ Can start a Norwegian-registered company and operate a farm
- 📋 How to Acquire Farmland in Norway
Use Finn.no for real estate listings (search “Landbrukseiendom”)
Check local municipality pages
Consider leasing before buying
Contact Norsk Landbruksrådgivning for land suitability assessment
Average Price:
Varies widely by region
$18,000 USD)
- 📝 Legal Registration & Business Setup
To start legally:
- Register as a business (ENK or AS) at Brønnøysund Register Centre
- Get Org. number
- Open a bank account
- Notify Skatteetaten (Tax Office)
- Register for VAT (MVA) if turnover >50,000 NOK
- Apply for Land use permits (if applicable)
- ⚖️ Norwegian Agricultural Laws
Driveplikt (Obligation to Farm): If you buy farmland, you must operate it or lease it actively.
Boplikt (Residency Obligation): Must live on the farm within 5 years of purchase.
Jordloven: Regulates land sales, inheritance, and protection of farmland.
- 👨🌾 Farming as an Immigrant or EU Citizen
EU/EEA Citizens:
✅ Treated equally under the law
✅ Can buy land, apply for grants, and run a business
Non-EU Citizens:
Need residence permit with business purpose
Best approach: register a company (AS)
Can lease or co-manage farms with Norwegians
Use Innovation Norway for immigrant business grants
- 🏛️ Government Support for Farmers
Norwegian farmers receive one of the highest per-capita subsidies in the world.
✅ Fixed annual subsidy system
✅ Price support (ensures high local food prices)
✅ Investment grants
✅ Environmental & organic farming support
✅ Regional support (mountain, Arctic zones)
Support handled by:
Landbruksdirektoratet (Norwegian Agriculture Agency)
Innovation Norway
Local municipalities
- 💡 Innovation Norway: Grants & Loans
Innovation Norway offers:
Start-up grants (for young/new farmers)
Business development funds
Green/agritech innovation loans
Organic farming support
Agri-tourism funding
Renewable energy loans (solar, bioheat)
- 🏢 Landbruksdirektoratet (Agriculture Directorate)
This is the central body for:
Subsidy applications
Land registration
Agricultural policy
Crop and livestock data
Tax relief schemes
Subsidy monitoring
- 🌳 Environmental & Climate-Focused Grants
Programs available for:
Reforestation
Biodiversity conservation
Carbon farming
Agroforestry
Organic conversion
LED greenhouse energy saving
- 🚜 Equipment & Infrastructure Support
You can apply for:
💧 Irrigation setup grants
🏠 Barn/greenhouse construction loans
🐄 Livestock housing support
🚛 Transport & cold storage
⚡ Renewable energy on farms (solar, wind)
- 🤝 Agricultural Cooperatives
Norway is co-op heavy — farmers benefit from:
Bulk seed/feed purchase
Guaranteed sales
Shared cold storage
Export help
Major co-ops:
TINE – dairy
Nortura – meat
Felleskjøpet – feed, tools, seeds
Gartnerhallen – fruits & vegetables
- 💰 Top Profitable Crops and Livestock in Norway
Product Profitability Notes
Berries High Strawberries, lingonberries
Potatoes Medium-High Widely grown
Sheep High Especially in mountain areas
Dairy Medium-High Supported by TINE
Herbs (indoors) High Requires greenhouse
Mushrooms High Low space, high demand
- 🌱 Organic Farming Opportunities
Norwegian consumers love organic.
✅ Government pays up to 40% extra subsidy for certified organic land
✅ Separate grants for organic transition (2-year period)
✅ National strategy supports more organic cereals, milk, and vegetables
- 🏗️ Greenhouses and Controlled Environment Agriculture
Popular in Arctic/short growing season zones.
Used for:
Lettuce, microgreens, herbs
Tomatoes, cucumbers
Mushroom cultivation
Seedling nurseries
Support:
Grants for LED systems, thermal curtains, and geo-thermal greenhouses
- 📦 Selling Your Produce
Where to sell:
Local markets (Bondens Marked)
Grocery chains (via co-ops)
Restaurants & hotels
CSA models (subscription boxes)
Export (via co-op or registered exporters)
Tip: Apply for Debio certification for organic marketing.
- 💼 Taxation and Farming Income
Taxed as self-employed or company
Deductible items: fuel, feed, equipment, land lease
Apply for Skattefunn (tax return for innovation)
VAT refund available for registered farmers
- ❄️ Tips for Farming in Cold & Arctic Conditions
Use early-maturing crop varieties
Cover crops and greenhouses extend season
Heat with bio-pellets or solar-thermal
Arctic soil still holds nutrients – use composting
- 📲 Digital Tools for Norwegian Farmers
NIBIO online crop planner
Skifteplan – field mapping
Agro Økonomi – budgeting tools
Landbruksdirektoratet Portal – grant applications
Min Side (Innovation Norway login)
- ⚠️ Common Challenges
Short growing seasons
High land prices
Language barriers (for immigrants)
Bureaucracy for subsidy approvals
Lack of farm workers
✅ Tip: Join farmer groups or find a local mentor.
- 👨🌾 Real Farmer Stories
A Pakistani immigrant started a herb greenhouse business near Oslo and now supplies 50+ restaurants.
A young Norwegian woman used Innovation Norway to launch a sheep dairy farm in Northern Norway.
An EU couple bought a small potato farm and now runs a successful agri-tourism lodge + farm café.
- 🌾 Final Thoughts
Farming in Norway isn’t just about growing food—it’s about sustainability, self-reliance, and innovation. With government subsidies, support for small-scale farmers, and strong co-operative systems, you can start farming in Norway with confidence—even as a newcomer.
✍️ Real Neel Founder -World Farming Story