Broken rice market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Switzerland saw the development of domestic broken rice production through the introduction of wet rice cultivation. Initial trials in the northern Alps, supported by the federal research station Agroscope, led to the establishment of the first rice fields in Lugnorre in 2019. This expansion continued, with an increase in the number of farmers and cultivated area, alongside the diversification of varieties by 2021, driving domestic production growth from 20 745 t in 2018 to 26 435 t in 2022. The commercial launch of niche Swiss rice under the 'Aare Riis' brand in 2022 further supported this local supply.

The Swiss broken rice market volume peaked at 89 773 t in 2020 before contracting sharply to 28 146 t by 2023. This decline was primarily driven by a steep fall in imports, which dropped from 66 707 t in 2019 to just 4 551 t in 2023. The commercialization of domestic rice contributed to import substitution, while global factors such as rising world rice prices in 2023–2024 due to Indian export restrictions and drought in Thailand reduced import affordability and availability, impacting overall consumption.

In 2024, new legislative provisions strengthened consumer protection, including rules on origin labeling and pesticide residue limits. Tests revealing massive pesticide contamination in imported basmati rice led to sales bans and heightened focus on food safety. These developments, alongside the continued expansion of local wet rice cultivation, shaped market dynamics, with imports recovering to 40 428 t in 2024.

Production broken rice in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

Switzerland's broken rice production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 25 576 tonnes of broken rice, marking a 16.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Switzerland's broken rice production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 39 681 thousand US dollars, representing a 31.8% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 81.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 22.0%.

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

Exports broken rice from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Switzerland's broken rice exports have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 53 tonnes, up by 5.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 51.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.3%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 50 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 40.2% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the primary destination for Switzerland's broken rice exports in volume terms, accounting for 87.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

Following a two-year decline, broken rice exports from Switzerland have increased. In 2020, exports were recorded at 82 thousand US dollars, an 18.9% year-on-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29.7%, corresponding to an annualized rate of -11.1%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 69 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 with a 25.9% drop.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy dominated the partner structure of Switzerland's broken rice exports in value terms, consistently representing 92.1% 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 broken rice to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland imported approximately 64 250 tonnes of broken rice in 2020, indicating a gradual decline of 3.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 60 932 tonnes, with the largest decline also in 2018 at 13.2%. In contrast, the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 9.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil remained the main source for Switzerland's broken rice imports in volume terms, holding a 72.0% share of total flows. The rest of the imports were spread across numerous other destinations.

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 broken rice imports amounted to 22 788 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 9.4%, with an annualized rate of -3.2%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 22 225 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.6% drop. The largest increase was in 2019 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the key source for broken rice imports into Switzerland in value terms, accounting for 71.9% of total imports. Other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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