Wheat and meslin market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss wheat and meslin market volume showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. After an initial decline from 946 thousand tons in 2018 to 888 thousand tons in 2019, the market stabilized around 900 thousand tons in 2020 and 2021. A sharp surge to 1 071 thousand tons occurred in 2022, followed by a contraction to 864 thousand tons in 2023.

This volatility was accompanied by fluctuations in domestic production, which ranged from 447 to 529 thousand tons, and import volumes, which varied from 371 to 584 thousand tons. The peak market volume in 2022 coincided with the highest import level, while the 2023 drop aligned with lower imports and reduced production.

Production wheat and meslin in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Switzerland's wheat and meslin production rebounded. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 497.5 thousand tonnes, but then increased by 6.3% to reach 528.7 thousand tonnes in 2020. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 3.6% decrease.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest level in 2020 at 0.1 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 76.9% decline from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 0.5 thousand tonnes, representing a 77.1% increase from the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest volumes was 4.3 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Austria were Switzerland's primary buyers of wheat and meslin in volume terms. Germany accounted for 47.2% of exports, France for 29.3%, and Austria for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 87.2% of Switzerland's total wheat and meslin exports by volume.

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, M $ US

Switzerland's wheat and meslin exports in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 0.2 million US dollars, with a 27.8% decline. However, they rebounded strongly in 2019, surging by 56.8% to reach a higher level, and continued to rise in 2020 to 0.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 52.7% increase from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 72.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 20.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Austria emerged as the key markets for Switzerland's wheat and meslin exports in value terms. Germany led with 54.7% of export value, followed by France at 21.9%, and Austria at 7.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 84.1% of Switzerland's total export value in this category.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

Switzerland's wheat and meslin imports in volume terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 371.2 thousand tonnes, showing a modest year-on-year drop of 5.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Canada were the dominant sources for Switzerland's wheat and meslin imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries supplied 75.1% of Switzerland's total import volume.

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, M $ US

Switzerland's wheat and meslin imports in value terms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 110.7 million US dollars, corresponding to a 4.8% year-on-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 28.0%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Germany, and Canada were the main sources for Switzerland's wheat and meslin imports in value terms. France accounted for 28.3% of import value, Germany for 23.3%, and Canada for 15.4%. In total, these three countries represented 67.0% of Switzerland's import value in this category.

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

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