Dried shelled broad and horse beans market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Swiss market for dried shelled broad and horse beans showed considerable volatility, with volume swinging from 3 495 tons to a peak of 3 764 tons in 2019, then down to 2 425 tons in 2020. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, lifting the market to 3 212 tons, aided by a surge in imports to 1 673 tons. After a slight rise to 3 484 tons in 2022, volume contracted again to 2 679 tons in 2023. Domestic production traced a similar arc, falling from over 3 000 tons in 2019 to 1 357 tons in 2023.

By 2024, the product was experiencing a gradual revival, transitioning from a bulk commodity to a niche item with expanded use in salads, soups, stews, and as flour for baking. This shift was driven by consumer preferences for local, sustainable foods and the nutritional value of pulses. Industry sources highlighted untapped potential for horse beans, noting that demand exceeded supply. Concurrently, a record number of new business registrations in Switzerland indicated the possible entry of fresh players into the agri-food sector, including bean-based products. Imports moderated slightly to 1 290 tons, suggesting a period of market adjustment.

Production dried shelled broad and horse beans in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2017-2020

In 2019, Switzerland's production of dried shelled broad and horse beans reached its peak at 3 163 tonnes. However, in 2020, production dropped sharply to 1 930 tonnes, marking a significant 39.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 36.2%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 13.9%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 21.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled broad and horse beans from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period. Import levels varied dramatically, with a 13.6-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Switzerland's exports of dried shelled broad and horse beans totaled 1.2 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France served as the primary destination for Switzerland's dried shelled broad and horse bean exports, consistently accounting for 93.6% of total export volumes.

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

In 2020, Switzerland's exports of dried shelled broad and horse beans in monetary terms reached 1.2 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.3% decline from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 94.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 62.1%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with France alone making up 95.6% 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 dried shelled broad and horse beans to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's import volume of dried shelled broad and horse beans declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 496.4 tonnes, down 17.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 41.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 881.5 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 31.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (53.2% of import volume), Lithuania (12.2%), and Austria (11.1%) consistently led the country structure of imports in kind, together accounting for 76.5% of total 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

In 2020, Switzerland's imports of dried shelled broad and horse beans in monetary terms reached 652.4 thousand US dollars, showing a slight uptick of 2.5% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 10.3%, with a CAGR of -3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 636.6 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 788.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 19.2%, and the most significant increase was in 2018, at 8.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Germany (48.2% of import value), Austria (10.9%), and France (8.7%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for dried shelled broad and horse beans to Switzerland, collectively representing 67.9% of total flows.

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

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