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Clear targets, stronger data and smarter use of AI could unlock greater value across Nordic procurement.
In brief
- Cost reduction leads the agenda, but 40% lack formal savings targets.
- AI adoption is growing, yet poor data keeps most organisations in pilot mode.
- Clear targets, stronger governance and better data can unlock greater value.
Cost reduction is the leading priority for 60% of Nordic procurement leaders, yet 40% of organisations do not have a formal savings target. The new State of Nordic Procurement Report also finds that while 77% are using or exploring AI in procurement, only 15% have progressed beyond pilots, with fragmented and unreliable data holding many back.
“Procurement is playing an increasingly strategic role. Better measurement, clearer targets and more disciplined follow-up can unlock substantially more value. What separates the leaders is not primarily scale, but how the function is managed and how it works,” says Thomas Haver, Partner at EY. The findings show that organisations can strengthen performance through clearer priorities, better data and more systematic ways of working.
Six priorities for Nordic organisations
The report identifies six priorities for Nordic organisations:
- Set clear savings targets
- Track value systematically
- Improve procurement data quality
- Connect existing systems
- Increase visibility of spend and suppliers
- Invest in skills and capability development
About the research
The report combines a June 2026 survey of 156 procurement leaders and professionals across the Nordics with anonymised procurement data from 154 Nordic organisations, representing a total spend of €41 billion. The two datasets were analysed separately and were not linked at organisation level.
The report was developed by Ignite and Silf Competence in collaboration with EY.
Summary
Nordic procurement teams face growing expectations to reduce costs and adopt AI, but unclear targets and weak data limit progress. The report shows that stronger governance, systematic measurement and better-connected data can help organisations move beyond pilots, improve performance and unlock greater value from procurement.