Strawberries market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Swiss strawberry market grew steadily, with total volume increasing from 20 857 t to 23 335 t. This expansion was supported by the adoption of new cultivation methods like tunnel systems, which extended the harvest season and boosted domestic production. Concurrently, rising consumer demand – particularly for organic strawberries – and seasonal supply gaps led to a sharp rise in imports, further enlarging the market. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reinforced the trend toward local and fresh produce, sustaining demand for Swiss-grown strawberries.

After 2020, the market entered a phase of adjustment. In 2021, market volume stabilized near 23 460 t as supply chains normalized and prices softened. The following year, total market volume dipped to 22 575 t, with production and imports both declining, while consumer preference for local and organic produce continued to influence market structure.

In 2023, the market saw a strong rebound in domestic production, which jumped by 15% to 9 662 t. This surge offset a drop in imports, resulting in a slight increase of the total market volume to 22 958 t.

Production strawberries in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Switzerland's strawberry production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 074 tonnes of strawberries, marking a 6.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 23.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Exports strawberries from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Switzerland's strawberry exports rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 21 tonnes, up 54.9% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 24.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 13 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest drop of 45.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Germany were the core destinations for Switzerland's strawberry exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 33.3% of exports, Spain for 29.8%, and Germany for 23.4%, together making up 86.6% 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

Switzerland's strawberry export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 79 thousand US dollars, down 5.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 21%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 104 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.2%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, falling by 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and Germany were the main markets for Switzerland's strawberry exports in value terms, together absorbing 73.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's strawberry imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 14 282 tonnes, up 1.4% from 2019. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 12 673 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 12.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary source for strawberry imports to Switzerland, accounting for 72.7% of total imports in volume terms, while other destinations played a much smaller 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 two years of decline, Switzerland's strawberry import value rose in 2020. Imports reached approximately 56 530 thousand US dollars, up 7.6% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 52 533 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 4.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Spain, Italy, and France were the main sources for strawberry imports to Switzerland in value terms. Spain accounted for 61.9% of imports, Italy for 10.7%, and France for 9.3%, together making up 81.9% of total imports.

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

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