Milled rice and broken rice market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss milled and broken rice market expanded from 119.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 136.7 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the entry of new private players into domestic cultivation, enabled by Agroscope's pilot wet-rice trials that created a regulatory framework for farmers. In 2019, the first commercial rice field launched in Lugnorre and the brand 'Aare Riis' was introduced, marking the start of local milled rice production and contributing to rising output.

Market volume then contracted to 71.4 thousand tons by 2023. Domestic capacity continued to grow with a second wet-rice field opening in 2021, but imports fell sharply. Public discussions on stricter origin labeling began in 2023, preceding new food regulations in 2024 that tightened pesticide limits and labeling rules. A major pesticide contamination scandal in imported basmati rice in 2024 reinforced safety scrutiny, impacting import volumes during the latter part of the period.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Switzerland's production of milled and broken rice has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 25 576 tonnes, marking a significant 16.4% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Switzerland's production of milled and broken rice has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 56 310 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 30.6% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 47.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Switzerland's exports of milled and broken rice declined in 2020. Exports reached 3.3 thousand tonnes, down 14.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 51.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 14.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 3.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 40.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy were the key export partners for Switzerland's milled and broken rice in volume terms. Germany accounted for 54.7% of exports, the Netherlands for 18.2%, and Italy for 11.4%. Together, these three countries made up 84.4% of total export 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 two years of improvement, Switzerland's exports of milled and broken rice in value terms declined in 2020. Exports stood at 7 342 thousand US dollars, a 4.1% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 76.9%, with an average annual rate of 20.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 657 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 40.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy continued to be the top buyers of Switzerland's milled and broken rice in value terms. Germany represented 53.4% of exports, the Netherlands 18.4%, and Italy 11.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 83.1% of total 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 milled rice and broken rice to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

Switzerland's imports of milled and broken rice have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 114.4 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate 3.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 102.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Italy, and Thailand remained the primary suppliers of milled and broken rice to Switzerland in volume terms. Brazil contributed 43.2% of imports, Italy 15.4%, and Thailand 12.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.1% of total import 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

Switzerland's imports of milled and broken rice in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totalled 84 709 thousand US dollars, up 11.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 26.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Brazil, and Thailand were the main sources for Switzerland's imports of milled and broken rice in value terms. Italy accounted for 23.2% of imports, Brazil for 22.5%, and Thailand for 19.5%. Combined, these three markets represented 65.2% 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