Beef and buffalo meat market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Swiss beef and buffalo meat market remained stable in volume terms, with production facing challenges such as difficulties in achieving optimal fattening stages for cattle. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to lockdowns that severely reduced foodservice demand, but market volume was maintained at around 168 thousand tons due to measures like frozen beef storage and extended import periods for beef and pork.

In 2021, the market value surged to $2.6 billion, driven by record-high producer prices for slaughter cattle that boosted slaughterhouse profitability, alongside lockdown-induced retail tourism that strengthened sales channels. By 2022, consumer behavior normalized post-lockdowns, leading to lower imports and a reduction in market volume to 164 thousand tons, although the overall meat market was reported as stable.

By 2023, market volume saw a further slight decline to 162 thousand tons, while value rose to $2.7 billion. Regulatory changes came into effect, including a prohibition on preventive antibiotic use in dairy and fattening cattle under the revised Veterinary Medicinal Products Ordinance, affecting production practices. Additionally, the Federal Office for Agriculture introduced the Quality and Sustainability Promotion Program (QuNaV) to develop the buffalo meat segment starting from 2026.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 144.4 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 148.0 thousand tonnes, which represented a 5.9% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat output was valued at 1 865 million US dollars, up 3.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 26.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.3%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 1 958 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 33.2% rise from 2017. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when the value decreased by 8.3%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland exported 67 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 1.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 66 tonnes, which marked a 23.4% decline from 2018. The highest volume was achieved in 2018 with 86 tonnes, representing a 27.0% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary destination for Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms, accounting for 76.5% of total shipments. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of trading partners.

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, M $ US

Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat exports reached 0.9 million US dollars in 2020, up 6.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 20.8%, with an average annual increase of 6.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1.1 million US dollars, which represented a 59.8% surge from 2017. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 28.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the dominant buyer of Swiss beef and buffalo meat in value terms, accounting for 72.8% of total exports. Other countries shared the remaining portion of the export market.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 24 007 tonnes, up 12.6% from 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 20 091 tonnes, which represented a 17.0% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Ireland were the key sources for Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 29.0% of imports, Austria for 22.3%, and Ireland for 16.7%. Together, these three countries made up 67.9% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat imports from abroad increased in 2020. Import value stood at 208.5 million US dollars, rising 7.7% year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 3.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 193.6 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when import value fell by 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms were distributed across a diverse set of partner countries. Ireland accounted for 23.3% of imports, Germany for 13.6%, and Austria for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 47.8% of total import flows.

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

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