It was merged into the office of Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation in July 2021 but was re-established in November 2021 by newly appointed Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

It was also kept after the government shift due to the 2022 Swedish general election, when current minister Peter Kullgren (kd) was appointed.

The officeholder was responsible for agriculture and environmental issues relating to agriculture, fishery, reindeer husbandry, Sami affairs, horticulture, animal welfare, foodstuffs, hunting and game management, as well as higher education and research in the field of agricultural sciences.

The office was founded in 1900 under the name of Minister of Agriculture, and its first holder was Theodor Odelberg.

The title was renamed Minister for Rural Affairs in 2010.