Soybeans market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Swiss soybean production more than doubled from 3 740 t in 2018 to 6 949 t in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the expansion of organic cultivation areas, supported by new soy varieties and anticipating the 2022 mandate that required Knospe-certified ruminants to be fed exclusively with Swiss Knospe feed, which includes soy. The rising demand for plant-based proteins also encouraged farmers to increase soybean output.

The total soybean market volume fluctuated over the period, declining to 15 751 t in 2020 before surging by 23% to 19 377 t in 2021. The sharp rise in 2021 coincided with increased global demand for plant proteins and a worldwide shortage of soybeans due to reduced South American harvests, which led to higher import volumes. After stabilizing near 19 200 t in 2022 under the influence of the new feeding regulations that boosted domestic production, the market contracted to 17 976 t in 2023 as imports fell further while domestic output continued to grow.

Industry initiatives such as the Soja Netzwerk Schweiz promoted sustainable, non-GMO soy sourcing throughout the period, with over 95% of soy in Switzerland being responsibly produced by 2023. Major retailers like Migros and Coop actively supported these efforts, fostering a shift toward European and domestic soy, which gradually reshaped the supply structure toward more local and organic production.

Production soybeans in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Switzerland produced 5 247 tonnes of soybeans in 2020, representing a 1.9% year-on-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7%, with an average annual decrease of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 740 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 33.7%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 43.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Soybean production in Switzerland increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 6 740 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 22.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 703 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 36.7%.

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

Exports soybeans from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Soybean exports from Switzerland reached 125 tonnes in 2020, down 11.7% year-on-year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 283 tonnes, while the lowest point came in 2020. Between these years, export volumes varied by a factor of 2.3. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 49.9%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 103.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany accounted for 72.3% of Switzerland's total soybean exports in volume terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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 behavior showed volatility during these years. Switzerland's soybean exports reached 161 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a 9.9% gain from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 356 thousand US dollars, while the minimum came in 2019 at 146 thousand US dollars, creating a 2.4-fold variation between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 58.9%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 94.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland's soybean exports in value terms were primarily directed toward Germany and France, whose combined share reached 86.0% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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

Imports soybeans to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's soybean import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 10 629 tonnes, marking a 12.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 21.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 14 625 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.2%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 8.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France (50.6% of imports in volume terms), Austria (14.8%), and Ukraine (11.2%) were the leading sources for Switzerland's soybean imports, together accounting for 76.6% 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

Switzerland's soybean imports declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 7 574 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a strong 16.3% drop versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23%, equating to an 8.3% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 944 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.4%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (38.5% of imports in value terms), Austria (18.2%), and Ukraine (13.5%) were the main suppliers of soybeans to Switzerland, together comprising 70.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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