Tomato market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss fresh tomato market volume peaked at 80 961 tons in 2018, influenced by growing consumer awareness of environmental factors such as transportation distance and greenhouse heating methods, which affected purchasing decisions for out-of-season produce. After a contraction to 74 860 tons in 2019, the market recovered to 80 529 tons in 2020, though no specific market drivers for this rebound were highlighted in the available sources.

From 2021 to 2022, the market gradually declined to around 77 000 tons. During this period, domestic production saw an increase in cherry tomato yields and larger harvests of other varieties, indicating a shift in crop mix, while overall production remained below 2018 levels, sustaining a significant reliance on imports to meet consumption.

The market stabilized at approximately 77 200 tons in 2023, coinciding with steady agricultural land area and import regulations that affected other fresh fruit sectors, potentially influencing tomato trade flows. In 2024, the organic segment stabilized at a high level, while the war in Ukraine indirectly impacted energy and input prices, and consumer preferences continued to favor fresh, fully ripe tomatoes from local Swiss farmers.

Production tomato in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2019, Switzerland produced 38 199 tonnes of tomatoes, which was the lowest output during the period. Production then increased slightly to 38 832 tonnes in 2020, representing a 1.7% gain compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader trend from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 8.7%, averaging a 3.0% annual decrease. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 43 996 tonnes, marking a 3.4% increase from the prior year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 13.2% decrease.

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

Exports tomato from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at just 16 tonnes, while they peaked in 2019 at 151 tonnes, representing a 9.3-fold difference between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a substantial 828.5% rise. In 2020, foreign tomato supplies from Switzerland totaled 94 tonnes, down by 37.6% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Russia, and Spain were the leading destinations for Swiss tomato exports in volume terms. Austria accounted for 51.1% of exports, Russia for 19.9%, and Spain for 8.5%, together comprising 79.5% of total export 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, exports bottomed at 35 thousand US dollars, while they peaked in 2019 at 183 thousand US dollars, showing a 5.3-fold difference. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 428.6% rise, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 40.4% drop. In 2020, foreign tomato supplies from Switzerland totaled 119 thousand US dollars, down by 34.6% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Russia, and Spain remained the main destinations for Swiss tomato exports in value terms. Austria accounted for 36.4% of exports, Russia for 16.8%, and Spain for 14.2%, together comprising 67.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tomato to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, tomato import volumes into Switzerland began to increase. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 36 812 tonnes, then rose to 41 792 tonnes in 2020, up by 13.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.2%, averaging a 3.9% annual growth rate. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 0.7% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and Morocco formed the core of tomato imports into Switzerland in volume terms. Spain accounted for 48.0% of imports, Italy for 19.3%, and Morocco for 15.3%, together taking 82.6% of total import 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

After a two-year decline, Switzerland's tomato import volume started to increase. In 2019, imports were at their lowest point at 83 438 thousand US dollars, then rose to 96 494 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a strong uptick of 15.6% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.7%, equating to a 2.8% annualized growth rate. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 3.4% decrease.

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

In 2017 to 2020, three principal markets — Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands — together accounted for 84.6% of total tomato import value into Switzerland.

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

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