Quinces market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

After quince was named Swiss Fruit of the Year in 2017, interest in this traditional fruit increased, and demand for quinces for jam, jelly, and schnaps production had doubled over the previous decade. However, domestic production remained constrained at around 670–690 tons annually due to fire blight disease, which since 1989 has led to the removal of many trees and discourages new plantings.

Due to limited local supply, Switzerland's quince market volume became highly dependent on imports, leading to significant fluctuations. The market peaked at 1 245.6 tons in 2021 when imports surged to 574.2 tons to meet the strong demand. Imports then fell, pulling the market volume down to 1 009.7 tons in 2022 before a partial recovery to 1 077.6 tons in 2023.

In 2023, Migros Luzern began marketing quince as a rarity, highlighting its limited availability. In 2024, the Swiss Fruit Association published guide prices for quinces and quince brandy to improve market transparency. Demand for quince products stayed high, but fire blight continued to restrict any expansion of domestic production.

Production quinces in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of quinces, 2017-2020

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Switzerland produced 685.0 t of quinces, reflecting a modest 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 694.0 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 9.1%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 77.5%.

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

Exports quinces from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 5.5-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2019, quince deliveries from Switzerland reached 0.1 t, up by 445.5% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 t, with the largest decline that year at 59.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was overwhelmingly the primary destination for Switzerland's quince exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% 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

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Switzerland exported 0.2 K $ US of quinces, representing a substantial 471.8% increase compared to 2018. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 60.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France nearly exclusively shaped the geographical structure of Switzerland's quince exports in value terms, holding a 100.0% share 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 quinces to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Switzerland's quince import volume increased. In 2020, imports totaled 458.8 t, marking a 38.3% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 331.7 t, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 33.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Spain accounted for the majority of Switzerland's quince imports in kind, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

After a two-year decrease, Switzerland's quince import volume rose. In 2020, Switzerland imported 555.6 K $ US of quinces, showing a sharp 41.9% increase from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 391.6 K $ US, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 36.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Spain were the main sources for Switzerland's quince imports in value terms, jointly representing 83.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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