Carrots and turnips market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss carrots and turnips market began the period with production challenges, as a high incidence of powdery mildew in 2018 affected harvesting and storage practices for carrots. Market volume remained relatively stable around 71 000 t through 2019 and 2020, with minor year-to-year variations.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2021, when market volume dropped to 50 468 t. During this time, organic farming expanded its share of agricultural land to 17%, reflecting a broader shift toward organic fresh produce. The market rebounded strongly in 2022, reaching 74 729 t, driven by increased demand for fresh-cut salads and prepared vegetables (fourth-range products) and the ongoing promotion of local consumption through traditional events like the Aarau carrot market.

In 2023, national carrot production for the fresh market fell by 20% as planted area shrank by 5%, leading to significantly higher prices and a market volume decline to 57 136 t. Looking to 2024, consumer prices for carrots showed little fluctuation, with optimal storage and harvest conditions emphasized to preserve the quality of keepable vegetables like carrots.

Production carrots and turnips in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

In 2020, Switzerland produced 68 508 tonnes of carrots and turnips, representing a 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production declined by 11%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 9.1%, while 2019 saw minimal change with a 0.0% increase.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Carrots and turnips exports from Switzerland have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 710 tonnes, marking a significant 68.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 3 611.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 233.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Switzerland's carrots and turnips exports in volume terms, accounting for 91.7% of the total.

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

Export values showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while 2019 saw the peak, with a 73-fold difference between these years. In 2020, carrots and turnips exports from Switzerland totaled 199 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight 1.9% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 203 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 1 862.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland's export value for carrots and turnips was heavily reliant on Germany, which accounted for 92.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Carrots and turnips imports into Switzerland have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 3 333 tonnes, showing a sharp 39.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 613 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 55.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 48.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (39.9% of import volume), Spain (29.1%), and Denmark (14.4%) were the main suppliers of carrots and turnips to Switzerland, together making up 83.4% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Carrots and turnips imports into Switzerland have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Switzerland imported approximately 5 658 thousand US dollars worth of carrots and turnips, representing a 24.8% gain over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 18.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 417 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Denmark (29.9% of import value), Italy (26.7%), and Spain (14.3%) were the primary suppliers of carrots and turnips to Switzerland, jointly accounting for 70.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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