A reflection by Mari Onkamo, CEO of Polarica Group. Prompted by the Finnish berry sector's discussion on the Employer Pays Principle, she argues that real proof of responsibility is a standard the sector helps define and can be audited against.
A reflection by Mari Onkamo, CEO of Polarica Group. Prompted by the Finnish berry sector's discussion on the Employer Pays Principle, she argues that real proof of responsibility is a standard the sector helps define and can be audited against.
Insights from 355 seasonal berry pickers in Finland’s berry-picking camps
As one of Europe’s largest berry suppliers, Polarica aims to lead globally in sustainable practices across its value chain. Transparent sourcing and responsible labour practices are not just items on our roadmap – they are...
Polarica is on a solid path towards transitioning to green energy sources. In 2024, we reduced emission on our own operations (Scope 1 and 2) remarkably, up to 93% from the base year 2021. The emissions generated along the value chain (Scope 3) remain more challenging to reduce.
A new legislative change to the berry-pickers' visas came into force on 17 February 2025. Under this law, pickers will arrive in Finland as seasonal workers with employment-related visas instead of tourist visas or work permits.
Working at Polarica is both fun and challenging. The company offers its employees a wide range of career paths to pursue and a host of fringe benefits. Kim Metiäinen is a great example of someone who has embraced these opportunities and advanced to more challenging roles in Polarica over the years.
Steam is widely used across various industrial sectors in numerous product manufacturing processes. In the food industry, such as at Kaskein Marja’s production facility in Lappeenranta, steam is essential for processes like sterilization and pasteurization. Traditionally, steam has been produced...
High-protein diets have long been celebrated for their health benefits. From fat loss to muscular growth, foods rich in protein have enjoyed strong demand from consumers across the globe. While it continues to be a favored macronutrient, protein is being increasingly complemented by an emphasis on...
Every year, deep in the Nordic forests, Polarica’s wild berry harvest begins – a process that transforms wild berries into premium products. Let's take a closer look at the journey of Polarica's berries, from the moment they are hand-picked from the forest to their distribution to homes and...
Wild berries are the true wonders of the forest. Sweet, healthy, and delicious, berries are a mainstay of the Nordic diet. While blueberries have received the most attention due to their nutritional benefits, little is known about the forest's hidden treasure: lingonberries.
For many years now, Polarica has offered working opportunities to berry-pickers from Thailand. This was mostly done in cooperation with local Thai sub-contractors who were responsible for recruitment and basic level training in Thailand. This year, however, we decided to oversee the recruitment...