Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Swiss market for capsicum and pimenta fruits grew significantly, with volume expanding from 33 986 t to 40 174 t. This growth coincided with increasing consumer preference for organic peppers, as noted in rising retail sales of organic varieties in 2019. The market's heavy reliance on imports, with over 98% of supply coming from abroad, remained a defining feature during this period.

After peaking in 2020, market volume stabilized around 40 000 t, with a slight dip to 38 545 t in 2022 before recovering to 39 312 t in 2023. Regulatory measures, including the federal tracking of orchard areas and recommended prices for direct sales introduced in 2021, provided greater market transparency. Meanwhile, the organic segment continued to gain ground, with record organic pepper sales in April 2022 showing a 12% year-on-year increase, and this growth persisted into 2024, underscoring a sustained shift toward organic produce.

Throughout the period, domestic production declined steadily, falling from 1 057 t in 2018 to 517 t in 2023, reinforcing import dependency. Seasonal availability was structured by regional production in cantons like Thurgau, Aargau, Valais, and Bern from July to October, while storage requirements influenced distribution practices. The entry of organic producers such as Fluofeld farm supported the development of the local organic segment.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Switzerland's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 911 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 4.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 10.2%. In contrast, the highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 057 tonnes, which represented a significant increase of 15.1% from the previous year.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Switzerland's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits increased in 2020. The country exported 9 tonnes that year, showing a gain of 32.5% from 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 60.6%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 49.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the top destinations for Switzerland's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports in kind. Germany accounted for 39.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 36.1%, and France for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 87.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

Switzerland's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms reached 38 thousand US dollars in 2020, a strong increase of 69.9% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 22 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 53.9%. The maximum value occurred in 2018 at 48 thousand US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the main destinations for Switzerland's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 37.8% of exports, Germany for 32.8%, and France for 10.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 81.5% of total export 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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in kind have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 15 000 tonnes, showing a rise of 15.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Morocco were the primary sources for Switzerland's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports in kind. Spain accounted for 62.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 17.0%, and Morocco for 8.1%. Together, these three countries made up 87.3% 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, K $ US

Switzerland's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 96 477 thousand US dollars, marking a strong advance of 21.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, two leading markets—Spain and the Netherlands—dominated Switzerland's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.3% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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