Forage products market in Switzerland, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Swiss forage products market contracted significantly, with volume falling from 278 thousand tons to 173 thousand tons, driven primarily by a decline in imports.

The market rebounded sharply, reaching 264 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was fueled by exceptionally strong demand for alfalfa, which outstripped domestic supply and led to increased imports to meet livestock feed needs. Weather patterns and climate change further pressured local production, reinforcing reliance on imported forage.

In 2023, the market volume saw a slight adjustment to 258 thousand tons, indicating a stabilization after the prior expansion.

Production forage products in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of forage products, 2017-2020

World map of production of forage products, 2017-2020

Switzerland's forage products production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 500.0 t of forage products, marking a gradual decrease of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 39.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 550.0 t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 31.0%.

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

Exports forage products from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Switzerland's forage products exports stood at 0.1 K t, representing a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 37.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 66.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Germany remained the primary buyers of forage products from Switzerland, together accounting for 82.0% of total exports in kind. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

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 forage products export value amounted to 79 K $ US, showing a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 76 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 88 K $ US. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 13.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France and Germany dominated Switzerland's forage products exports in value terms, together accounting for 89.9% of total export flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual amounts to the overall export value.

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

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

Imports forage products to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for forage products in Switzerland showed considerable volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 1.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Switzerland imported 172.7 K t of forage products, indicating a substantial decline of 21.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 278.0 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 81.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Germany were the key sources for Switzerland's forage products imports in kind, jointly representing 80.8% of total import flows. Other trading partners contributed much smaller individual shares during this period.

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

The import value data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with the peak value being 2.1 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Switzerland's forage products import value reached 44 855 K $ US, corresponding to a sharp decline of 26.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 77 003 K $ US, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 114.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France (46.5% of import value), Germany (31.4% of import value), and Italy (11.5% of import value) formed the main group of sources for Switzerland's forage products imports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 89.4% 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