This publication is written in Swedish but has a summary in English.

This report evaluates four types of firm support within the Swedish Rural Development Programme for the period 2014—2022, focusing on investments: investment support for increased competitiveness in agricultural, horticultural, and reindeer husbandry firms (4.1/2A), processing support for short food supply chains and local markets (4.2/3A), processing support to create new jobs (4.2/6A), and investment support to create new jobs (6.4/6A).

The purpose of the analysis has been to assess the extent to which these four supports contributed to objectives of increased competitiveness, employment, and diversification among firms that received support during 2015—2021. We have used statistical methods to compare economic outcomes between firms that received support and those that did not. Consideration is given to variation in support payment timing and to the fact that firms applying for support may differ from those that do not.

We examined whether the investment support for increased competitiveness in agricultural, horticultural, and reindeer husbandry firms (4.1/2A) and the processing support for short food supply chains and local markets (4.2/3A) have contributed to increased competitiveness and growth. The results show no discernible effects of these supports on firm competitiveness or growth.

We also examined whether the processing support to create new jobs (4.2/6A) and the investment support to create new jobs (6.4/6A) have influenced employment and diversification. The results show no discernible effects of these supports on employment, in terms of the number of employees. However, the investment support has had small positive effects on firm diversification.

The report is written for the Swedish Board of Agriculture.