Pears market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss fresh pear market contracted significantly between 2018 and 2023, with total volume falling from 70 541 t to 36 662 t. Domestic production more than halved over this period, dropping from 58 131 t to 27 596 t. Imports followed a U-shaped trajectory, declining from 12 500 t in 2018 to a low of 6 316 t in 2020 before partially recovering to 9 110 t by 2023.

Market conditions in 2023 were marked by pressures on both supply and demand. The total area of fruit orchards in Switzerland decreased by 1.0%, contributing to the ongoing reduction in domestic output. Simultaneously, per capita pear consumption fell to 17 kg, a level 23% below the average of the previous four years, which curbed overall demand. A 7% rise in import volumes of fresh fruit, including pears, compared to the prior average provided some offset but was insufficient to reverse the market's downward trend.

Production pears in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production varied significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Switzerland produced 44 067 tonnes of pears, showing a robust 16.0% improvement over the previous year. The maximum production was recorded in 2018 at 58 131 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 34.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with an 87.2% rise.

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

Exports pears from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. There was a 23-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Switzerland exported 134 tonnes of pears, indicating a steep 67.5% year-over-year drop. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 411 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 405.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy absorbed 72.9% of Switzerland's total pear exports in kind, with the remaining share distributed across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. There was a 17-fold gap between the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, Switzerland exported 169 thousand US dollars worth of pears, down by 59.4% relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 417 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 424.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and the Netherlands remained the main buyers of pears from Switzerland, with a combined share of 84.5% of total exports in value terms. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports pears to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Pear imports into Switzerland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 6 316 tonnes, which is 8.7% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 12 500 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 44.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 33.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (24.2% of imports in kind), South Africa (24.0% of imports in kind), and Belgium (22.9% of imports in kind) consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 71.1% 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 imported 10 846 thousand US dollars worth of pears, representing a 9.1% year-over-year advance. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 941 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 18 406 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 46.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 28.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (27.3% of imports in value terms), South Africa (25.4% of imports in value terms), and Belgium (16.2% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 68.8% 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