Wheat starch market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss wheat starch market volume grew from 11 241 t in 2018 to 13 687 t in 2020, with a peak of 13 674 t in 2019. This expansion occurred without major supply disruptions or notable policy shifts affecting the sector.

Market volume then contracted sharply, falling to 10 456 t in 2021. This downturn was triggered by unfavorable weather during the 2021 harvest, which degraded wheat starch quality and reduced its suitability for baking, dampening demand. The decline continued, reaching 9 466 t by 2023. Two key developments influenced this period: a reduction in Swiss bread‑wheat cultivation area led to the weakest harvest in decades, tightening domestic raw material supply, and a change in customs policy from early 2023 granted tariff relief only if 75% of imported flour was processed into starch, altering production incentives.

In 2024, wheat starch imports rose to 9 984 t, partly driven by increased import quotas designed to compensate for the poor local harvest. International wheat prices also climbed in early 2024, adding cost pressure, while lower starch consumption in the European packaging industry indirectly affected regional trade flows.

Production wheat starch in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

Switzerland produced 1,037 tonnes of wheat starch in 2020, marking a slight increase of 2.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The most significant production increase occurred in 2018, at 3.7%, while 2019 saw minimal change.

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

Exports wheat starch from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Following two consecutive years of growth, Switzerland's wheat starch exports declined in 2020. Exports totaled 26 tonnes that year, representing a sharp decrease of 65.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 54.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -23.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 74 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 22.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the primary destination for Switzerland's wheat starch exports, accounting for 72.6% of total export volume. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other 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

Switzerland's wheat starch export revenues showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value stood at 15,000 US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 57.6% from 2019. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, at 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Switzerland's wheat starch exports in value terms, representing 73.3% of total export revenue. The remaining share was spread across various smaller markets.

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 starch to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland imported 10,300 tonnes of wheat starch in 2020, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 18.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 10,300 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 33.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, at 23.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom were the main suppliers of wheat starch to Switzerland, accounting for 48.1%, 23.3%, and 9.4% of import volume, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.8% of Switzerland's total wheat starch imports.

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 wheat starch import expenditure amounted to 5,276,000 US dollars, showing a controlled decline of 9.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 17.1%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 6.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 4,995,000 US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, at 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom were the leading sources of wheat starch imports to Switzerland in value terms, accounting for 46.9%, 23.7%, and 8.5% of import expenditure, respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.1% of Switzerland's total wheat starch import value.

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

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