The potatoes are sliced and the oven is on – but the favorite temptation of the Christmas table is threatened by empty anchovy shelves.
However, Tomas Johansson is calm – after he found a gold mine.
However, not everyone appreciates his triumph.
Tomas Johansson finally found the right one.
Photo: Private
THE ARTICLE IN BRIEF
Bad weather has caused a shortage of anchovies before Christmas.
Tomas Johansson found hundreds of cans in a small shop.
The find arouses strong reactions in social media.
Bad weather in 2024 spelled it for the sprat fishing.
It has become clear, just over a month before this year’s Christmas, because it is the fish from which the Swedish anchovies are made.
In a number of stores in the country, the shelves are out of stock when this year’s Jansson’s temptations are to be prepared in Swedish homes. Some fortune seekers even try to sell anchovies on Tradera and earn a penny.
Last store had hundreds
For Tomas Johansson in Gävleborg, however, it is completely calm. But this year’s find was deep inside.
A couple of weeks ago, he got the urge for a sneak start of the Jansson season.
– I went to the big Ica store in Sandviken and it was empty there, and it continued like that in five stores.
The next day he found out that there was another small shop. There were hundreds of cans of anchovies and Tomas took the opportunity to buy a lot.
One Jansson load later, he still had many cans left, and a few days ago he posted a picture in a large Facebook group where the topic was widely discussed.
There was a sometimes very angry discussion about the morality of alleged anchovy bunkers. At the time of writing, the post has over 500 comments. The purchase is called rude, egotistical and others call for rationing in the stores.
Tomas’ 14 jars are starting theirs.
Photo: Private
– I read something that there was a shortage and I was happy and wanted to share, but I have to say that I am amazed at how people are. It’s actually scary, says Tomas.
– There were 14 cans in the picture, that’s seven Janssons, isn’t that much? I have two daughters, their families and some friends to celebrate with, so it’s not just me who will be eating on Christmas Eve.
Can you make it through Christmas?
– I actually bought two more today, they were still there, says Tomas and laughs.
