Get Guardian on GoogleSupermarkets across Europe are reeling from a wave of cyberattacks that sabotaged refrigeration systems, forcing retailers to discard massive amounts of food.
In Sweden, grocery giants ICA and Coop, which together control 67.3 per cent of the market, reported freezers overheating to +55°C overnight on Monday. “Everything is ruined,” said an ICA store manager in Sjöbo, where frozen goods worth hundreds of thousands of kronor were destroyed.
In Belgium, around 40 Delhaize and 15 Carrefour stores saw freezers rise to 15°C, with losses estimated at over €100,000.
The attacks mirror similar incidents last month in France, where hackers crippled refrigeration at hundreds of supermarkets, causing millions in losses and even reported fires. In August, freezer failures also hit six US military grocery stores.
As of this moment, seven EU countries have now reported cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems. For instance, in the Netherlands, 17 businesses, including butcher shops and cold storage facilities. In Finland, K Group stores reported overnight irregularities. In Belgium, Delhaize, Carrefour, and Spar stores reported losses of over €100K.
Further, in Sweden, ICA and Coop reported freezers set to +50°C; stores closed. In Luxembourg, 65 stores, including Delhaize, have been affected. In Ireland, 13 SuperValu stores have been affected, with goods withdrawn, losses in the thousands.
In Estonia, major chains reported freezers set to hit +50°C, damage narrowly avoided.
The incidents highlighted growing vulnerabilities as cyberattacks spread beyond banks, websites, and crypto platforms into critical infrastructure like food supply chains.
No direct link between the attacks has yet been established, but seven EU countries have now reported freezer sabotage, raising alarms about the scale and coordination of these strikes.
