Hop cones and lupulin market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Swiss hop market expanded steadily as a growing number of breweries showed preference for local hops, and the sector professionalized through acquisitions such as Carlo Bernasconi AG's takeover of Hopfenshop.ch in 2019. This period also saw the launch of a federal project to inventory and characterize around seventy Swiss hop varieties, aiming to enhance quality and diversity for future production.

Market volume stabilized in 2021 amid the start of construction on a new 6-meter hop garden at the Agroscope research center, designed to support long-term research and output. A sharp surge to nearly 240 tons occurred in 2022, primarily driven by rising consumption of non-alcoholic beer, which accounted for 5.7% of the total beer market and boosted demand for hops. The market then contracted to 201 tons in 2023, returning to levels closer to the pre-surge trend.

Throughout the period, Swiss hop farming remained small-scale, covering only about 10-15% of national demand, with prices following global markets and no state subsidies. The ongoing trend among breweries toward regional sourcing for sustainability and shorter supply chains provided a secondary market context, though the market remained heavily import-dependent.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Switzerland was among the world's leading producers of hop cones and lupulin from 2017 to 2020, ranking 25th globally by production volume.

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

World map of production of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

Switzerland's production of hop cones and lupulin increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 42 000 kg, which represents a 13.5% year-over-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 121.1%, translating to an annualized rate of 30.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Hop cones and lupulin production in Switzerland rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 407.7 K $ US, marking a 25.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 75.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland's cross-border shipments of hop cones and lupulin totaled 23.2 t, reflecting a 33.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 32.8%, with a CAGR of 9.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 17.4 t, which saw the largest decline of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland's exports of hop cones and lupulin in kind were highly concentrated, with Germany accounting for 94.8% 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, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Switzerland's exports of hop cones and lupulin rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 225 K $ US worth of these products, showing a sharp increase of 47.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 153 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Austria remained the two key markets for Switzerland's exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.6% 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 hop cones and lupulin to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland's imports of hop cones and lupulin reached 179.3 t, indicating a moderate rise of 4.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.5%, with an annualized rate of 6.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Switzerland's imports of hop cones and lupulin in kind, holding 79.9% of the total volume, with the remainder distributed among many countries with smaller individual shares.

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 hop cones and lupulin increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 3 249 K $ US worth of these products, which is 12.8% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.2%, with a CAGR of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany concentrated 70.5% of Switzerland's total imports in value terms for hop cones and lupulin, while the remaining flows were scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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

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