Grape wine market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss grape wine market contracted from 287.3 million litres in 2018 to 248.8 million litres in 2021, driven by a sharp decline in domestic production from 111.2 million litres to 60.9 million litres. In 2019, the Valais wine interprofession set harvest quotas to limit oversupply and preserve quality, contributing to the initial production decrease. This downturn accelerated in 2021 when severe spring frosts, hail storms, and outbreaks of mildew and odium caused significant crop losses, reducing vineyard area and crippling output.

Production rebounded to 99.2 million litres in 2022 and reached 101 million litres in 2023, helping market volume recover to 276.2 million litres in 2022 before a slight dip to 267.9 million litres in 2023. During this period, Swiss wine consumption grew by 3.8% in 2023, raising its market share to 38.6% despite a slight overall decline in total wine consumption. Regulatory measures such as the Valais ban on blending AOC wines with rectified concentrated must from July 2022 aimed to uphold authenticity, while distribution partnerships like that between Provins and fenaco enhanced national reach for local wines.

In 2024, the grape harvest is reported to be historically low at around 75 million litres, the second smallest in fifty years, due to frost, hail, and severe mildew pressure during a cold, wet spring and rainy summer. New European labelling rules for exports now mandate ingredient and nutrition disclosure, affecting Swiss producers. Market innovations, including the launch of a Swiss grape-beer hybrid and online sales platforms for Vaud wines, continue to shape the landscape.

Production grape wine in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Switzerland was among the world's leading grape wine producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume.

Top producers of grape wine, 2017-2020

World map of production of grape wine, 2017-2020

Grape wine production in Switzerland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 83.4 million liters, a 14.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 5.4%, averaging 1.8% annually. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 111.2 million liters, with the largest annual increase of 40.4% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, M l

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Grape wine production in Switzerland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 171 million US dollars, a substantial 22.6% year-on-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 31.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 382 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 37.9%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 35.7%.

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

Exports grape wine from Switzerland

Exports in kind, M l

After a two-year rise, Switzerland's grape wine export volumes declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 2.0 million liters, a modest 4.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.1%, averaging 5.4% annually. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 2.1 million liters, with the largest annual increase of 18.8% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (21.0% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (17.5%), and France (15.3%) were the main markets for Switzerland's grape wine exports, together accounting for 53.8% of total flows.

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, M $ US

Switzerland's grape wine exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 99 million US dollars, a 13.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.7%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 132 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 1.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and France were the three largest markets for Switzerland's grape wine exports in value terms, together accounting for 70.1% 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 grape wine to Switzerland

Imports in kind, M l

Switzerland's grape wine import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 183.1 million liters, a slight 2.1% improvement from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 177.7 million liters, which saw the largest annual decline of 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (41.7% of imports in kind), France (21.5%), and Spain (15.4%) were consistently the main sources for Switzerland's grape wine imports, together accounting for 78.6% 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, M $ US

In 2020, Switzerland's grape wine imports totalled 1 240 million US dollars, a 2.4% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.6%, averaging 2.2% annually. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.3%, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (36.4% of imports in value terms), France (34.9%), and Spain (12.3%) formed the main group of sources for Switzerland's grape wine imports, with a combined share of 83.6% 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