Barley market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Swiss barley market volume grew by 14% to 239 thousand tons. This increase was supported by the transfer of direct payments for grain into the agricultural budget, which financed barley production, and the introduction of new food legislation that streamlined administrative controls for grain processing and marketing. Market guidance from the Swiss Grain Producers Association further helped align supply with demand.

Between 2020 and 2021, total market volume eased from 234 to 225 thousand tons. Structural changes in agriculture, driven by policy incentives, began to reshape the sector during this period. The subsequent drop in domestic production to 171 thousand tons in 2021 was a key factor in the market's contraction, even as imports rose to fill part of the gap.

The market expanded sharply in 2022, with volume reaching 267 thousand tons—a 19% increase—driven by a near-doubling of imports. This surge followed a formal request by industry group swiss granum to raise import quotas to cover supply shortfalls, compounded by trade disruptions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A tariff increase on bread grains from mid-2022 also aimed to shield local producers. In contrast, 2023 saw a 24% market drop to 203 thousand tons after unfavorable weather significantly reduced barley harvest forecasts, slashing domestic output and import needs.

Production barley in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Switzerland's barley production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 193.5 K t of barley, marking a slight rise of 1.7% compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 180.9 K t, when output fell by 12.7%—the largest drop in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production growing by 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Switzerland's barley output was valued at 135.2 M $ US, representing a 3.6% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 132.7 M $ US, when it dropped by 4.2%—the largest decline observed. On the other hand, 2019 had the highest value at 140.2 M $ US, with an increase of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports barley from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Switzerland exported 799 t of barley, which represents a dramatic year-on-year increase of 83.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 24.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was by far the main destination for Switzerland's barley exports in volume terms, accounting for 96.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Exports in value terms hit their minimum in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2020, with a 2.1-fold variation between these points. In 2020, Switzerland exported barley worth 558 K $ US, equivalent to a 74.2% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports dropped by 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Switzerland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017–2020 period, Germany was the key and almost sole market for Switzerland's barley exports in value terms, accounting for 97.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Switzerland in value, 2017-2020

Imports barley to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland imported 40 983 t of barley, which is a 16.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 45.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 29 789 t, when imports declined by 60.1%—the largest drop in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with imports rising by 65.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France continued to lead as the main sources for Switzerland's barley imports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.4% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Switzerland's barley imports amounted to 10 270 K $ US, which is 23.4% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 38.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 352 K $ US, when it fell by 49.7%—the largest decline observed. On the other hand, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with import value rising by 60.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Switzerland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, France and Germany remained the primary suppliers of barley to Switzerland in value terms, with a combined share of 81.8% of total imports, and other countries forming the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Switzerland in value, 2017-2020