Walnuts market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss walnut market volume showed fluctuations between 6 000 and 6 300 tonnes from 2018 to 2023. Local walnut cultivation began in 2018, with the first small harvest arriving in autumn 2019, though domestic production initially covered only 3% of national consumption. Swiss producers started replanting walnut orchards and promoting direct sales, laying the groundwork for a gradual increase in local supply.

Market volume dipped slightly in 2021 and 2022, settling around 6 100 tonnes. During this period, the organic segment became more structured with Bio Suisse developing its first marketing concept for organic walnuts, which set quality standards and reference prices. This formalization aimed to add value but did not substantially change the total market size.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 5 988 tonnes. This drop was driven by late frosts across Europe, which severely damaged harvests in several producing countries and led to higher walnut prices, reducing consumption in Switzerland. An indirect factor was a poorer-than-expected Swiss rapeseed harvest, which affected related agricultural markets.

Production walnuts in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Switzerland's walnut production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2,218 tonnes of walnuts, marking a gradual decrease of 6.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Switzerland's walnut production value dropped. In 2020, the output was valued at 19,252 thousand US dollars, showing a significant loss of 12.3% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21,961 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 12.7%.

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

Exports walnuts from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year increase, Switzerland's walnut exports declined. In 2020, exports reached 71 tonnes, down by 29.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 25.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The peak was in 2019 with 101 tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 60.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland's walnut exports in kind were highly concentrated, with Germany and Moldova together accounting for 83.6% of total flows, while other partners 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

The market showed volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, walnut exports from Switzerland amounted to 617 thousand US dollars, down by 34.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was 934 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was 83.4% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany dominated Switzerland's walnut exports in value terms, holding 72.1% of the total, while the rest was distributed among many countries with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports walnuts to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland's walnut imports totaled 4,130 tonnes, up by 9.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Switzerland's walnut imports in kind were France (30.7% of imports), Chile (23.9%), and the United States (21.1%), which together accounted for 75.7% 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

In 2020, Switzerland's walnut imports were valued at 30,764 thousand US dollars, representing a robust rise of 15.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The minimum value was 26,727 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum was 34,304 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Chile (33.7% of imports in value terms), the United States (20.9%), and France (18.0%) formed the core of Switzerland's walnut imports, together taking 72.7% 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