Easter in Sweden by the Numbers

1,500 tons herring, 2,000 tons of eggs and SEK 1.5 billion on flowers .. Easter, a serious Holiday for sure. 

  • Ulf Kirchdorfer's book, "Swede Among the Rednecks" - available at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ztt7kbr" target="_blank">“Amazon”</a> or through Nordstjernan, 1.800.827.9333
  • 7 million SEK (just under $1 million) is how much Swedes spend grocery shopping during Easter week alone, which is 20% more than a normal week.

  • 31% of the Swedes invest in Easter decorations.
  • What are the most important ingredients on the Easter table?
    Eggs (54%)
    Herring (16%)
    Salmon (7%)
    Janssons frestelse (6%)
    Lamb (6%)
    2,000 — that’s how many tons of eggs Swedes consume during Easter.
    1,500 — that's how many tons of herring are consumed by Swedes for Easter. Clear sauces are most popular, but there are some geographical differences. In Stockholm pickled herring is preferred, while the folks in Göteborg like ”löksill” (pickled with onions) best. No Skåne table is complete without mustard herring.
    77% of all Swedes plan to celebrate Easter with their families.
    52% will consume Easter food, and 36% plan on relaxing. 24% want to be out in nature, and 7% are planning a church visit, while 5% want to do some shopping.
    40% — this is how much the alcohol consumption increases during Easter in comparison with a normal week.
    38% — this is the percentage of Swedes who believe they will gain weight this Easter.

  • London - most popular destination for Swedes for Easter.
  • SEK 1.5 billion ($227 million) is how much Swedes spend on ”påskliljor” (daffodils), tulips and other cut flowers at Easter.
    44% of all Swedes buy flowers for Easter. 31% invest in Easter decorations.
    500% is the increase of candy sales for Easter. This is the week Swedes eat the most candy during the entire year. Every Swede consumes 1.4 kilos (3 pounds) candy.
    17.4% of all Swedish people’s hotel bookings during Easter week take place in London, which is the most popular destination according to the travel site Trivago. London is followed by Stockholm, New York, Barcelona, and Paris. Easter is the holiday in Sweden during which most Swedes travel abroad.

  • Easter is also the holiday when most candy is consumed. 1.4 kilo, or 3 lbs per person!
  • More on Easter: Easter or Påsk, a Swedish tradition of traditions

  • Pickled herring, an important ingredient on the tables in Swedish homes. The most popular kind in Göteborg is this one, "löksill", pickled herring with onion.
  • Statistical references above are from 2014

  • Glad Påsk! Swedes will spend $1 million grocery-shopping for Easter this year.
  • Every day of Easter Week has its own historical significance: The days of Easter week

  • Easter in Sweden means a time full of food: Pickled herring, potatoes, and of course eggs. It is the third of the most important weeks for food retailers, the most important ones being Christmas and Midsummer. Photo: Per Ola Wiberg