The case study identified a need for increased transparency regarding oats pricing, product flows, as well as the collection, validity and use of sustainability data such as footprint assessments. The evidence from a circular sustainability assessment in Finland and Sweden suggests that the social sustainability performance of Nordic oats value chains is high and contributes to resilient intra-EU trade in oats and oats products, yet issues of pricing transparency and market power asymmetry are pervasive. Furthermore, there is a need for intra-organizational changes in the value chain (among processors, retailers) since social sustainability matters related to labor issues have been found to be treated in HR units, rather than in dedicated sustainability-related teams that are typically in charge of sustainability reporting. Such organizational changes could help to achieve further improvements in social sustainability standards and value chain governance, thereby impacting farmers, consumers and trade.

The case study analysis suggests that in both Finland and Sweden, the oats value chain actors demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding international labor standards, including those set by the ILO, ICESCR, and ICCPR. Despite this, a trend of reduced attention to social sustainability can be observed, particularly among large processors and retailers who appear to leverage their market dominance to influence prices, disadvantaging farmers and contributing to a lack of transparency. While most of the case study respondents seem to comply with government or EU production standards, social sustainability measures are less emphasized compared to environmental ones. Freedom of association and collective bargaining are well-supported, with effective reporting systems and social dialogue involving unions and employee representatives. Employment contracts are often negotiated under collective bargaining agreements, but the minority of farmers have systems in place to assess social impact, indicating room for improvement.

Regarding transparency, the level of prior disclosure of project-related information (e.g. on changes in production and processing capacity) to local stakeholders is low. In contrast, the accessibility of information on intervention policies, laws, procedures, and decisions to all value chain actors is facilitated by industry associations, contributing to the sector’s resilience against various shocks.

The participation of women in production-related decisions within the Finnish and Swedish oats value chain appears to be less of an issue compared to other sectors like coffee and cocoa. This is largely due to the societal conditions and mechanisms in the Nordic countries that already promote gender equality and balance. Consequently, social aspects such as human rights and gender balance are perceived as fewer pressing concerns. Respondents from the survey support this view, indicating that contracts with retailers do not typically include specific social clauses, as these values are already embedded in the firm’s core principles.

The participation of women in trade unions, farmers’ organizations, and other groups within the oats value chain shows a mixed but evolving focus on social dimensions. Some interview respondents identified gaps in addressing social aspects, such as the role and responsibilities of women, but noted that certain organizations are beginning to integrate these considerations into their strategies. Certificates used by these organizations emphasize climate change, yet increasingly recognize the need to incorporate social dimensions, including gender equality.

Although the question of local food production increase has been less relevant for Finland and Sweden before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both countries show a strong commitment to sourcing oats from domestic farmers. Organizations in these countries prefer locally produced oats, emphasizing geographical proximity and consumer preferences for sustainable, domestically sourced products. One organization uses the Ecovadis tool to engage with suppliers on sustainability efforts, prioritizing cereals free from growth regulators or glyphosate and sourced from the domestic market. Respondents from the farmer survey also stated that they source most oats from domestic producers.

The participation of formal and informal farmer organizations in the oats value chain in Finland and Sweden is mostly evident through formal entities such as MTK (the national farmers’ union). The inclusivity of cooperative membership in Finland is challenging to assess due to the dominance of two main retailers controlling about 85% of the market. Additionally, there are limited cooperatives specifically for oats farmers, with private companies like OATLY creating exclusive membership clubs. The leadership within farmer associations is accountable, representing farmers of all sizes. However, these associations do not engage in collective negotiation for input or output prices, unlike models seen in other countries. Oats actors have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in pricing and unfair revenue sharing within the value chain. Farmers’ access to information on agricultural practices used on other farms, on oats company policies across regions, and on market prices paid at farm gate is unclear. Accountability on achieving environmental sustainability goals are difficult to assess, yet only 33% of survey respondents reported using written contracts with buyers that include environmental sustainability specifications.