Potato market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Swiss potato production volumes experienced significant year-to-year swings from 2018 to 2023, largely dictated by varying weather conditions. Unfavorable wet and hot weather in 2019 constrained the harvest to 414 000 tons, while favorable growing conditions the following year supported a near-record output of 488 600 tons in 2020. However, poor spring weather and a strategic reduction in planting for French fries led to a sharp drop to 342 800 tons in 2021, before improved conditions allowed a recovery to 382 000 tons in 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic substantially altered demand patterns, particularly in 2020 when lockdowns and restaurant closures triggered record retail sales as households stocked up on potatoes. This surge in home consumption coincided with the high-production year. The industry concurrently adapted through the annual update of the Swiss potato variety list, which promoted disease-resistant and climate-adapted varieties, and saw the organic segment grow to claim a 24.7% share of the vegetable, salad, and potato group by 2022.

Regulatory measures and disease pressure further shaped the market. Price bands for potatoes were introduced and repeatedly raised to reflect higher production costs. Late blight significantly impacted organic potato yields in 2023, contributing to a production decline to 359 700 tons. To supplement domestic supply, imports of fresh potatoes rose markedly from 2021 onward, facilitated by a temporary increase in import quotas, reaching 110 400 tons in 2024.

Production potato in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Switzerland's potato production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 414.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.5% decrease. However, production surged in 2020 to 488.6 thousand tonnes, an 18.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Potato production in Switzerland increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value reached its minimum at 172.8 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.2% decline. By 2020, output rose sharply to 232.9 million US dollars, up 27.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value expanded by 29.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.9%.

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

Exports potato from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Switzerland exported 8 441 tonnes of potatoes in 2020, a 14.1% decrease from the previous year. In 2018, exports were at their lowest at 6 915 tonnes, with a 17.4% decline. The peak occurred in 2019 at 9 825 tonnes, representing a significant 42.1% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria and Germany were the dominant destinations for potato exports in volume, jointly accounting for 81.8% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

Switzerland exported 4 024 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes in 2020, a controlled decrease of 7.3% compared to 2019. In 2018, the value was at its minimum of 2 670 thousand US dollars, with an 18.5% decline. The maximum was recorded in 2019 at 4 341 thousand US dollars, a sharp 62.6% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria and Germany played leading roles in potato exports by value, together taking 80.6% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports potato to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's potato import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports were at their lowest at 19 536 tonnes, with a steep 66.2% decline. By 2020, imports rose abruptly to 35 013 tonnes, up 64.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall imports decreased by 39.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France stood out as the main sources for potato imports in volume, together representing 64.5% of total flows, with shares of 29.8%, 18.5%, and 16.2%, respectively.

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 potato imports increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value was at its minimum of 12 780 thousand US dollars, with a 59.7% decline. By 2020, imports reached 22 182 thousand US dollars, up 47.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 30%, equating to an annualized rate of -11.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Egypt were the three largest markets for potato imports by value, together accounting for 57.8% 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