• Emmi Group leads the organic segment in Switzerland with a value share of 3.9% in 2021, followed by Orior AG, with a share of 2.9%.  Artisanal products have witnessed popularity in Switzerland, with a share of 2.8% as a result of the overlap between the increasing focus on health and wellness and the rising popularity of craft-based production. 
• While Switzerland ranks outside the top-10 globally in terms of market size and 40th for forecast growth, the country recorded a per capita expenditure on organic food and beverage products of US$78.92, ranking it 5th globally.

• Organic food and beverage products in Switzerland registered a market size of US$684 million in 2021, corresponding to 1.1% of the global market.
• Forecast growth for organic packaged food and beverages is somewhat limited by a per capita spend that is already amongst the highest in the world; the market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 2.7% 2021-26.

• Organic packaged food and beverages in Switzerland recorded an increase of 1.6% over 2020-21, registering a market size of US$684.0 million.
• While organic dairy accounted for the highest share of the market (31.7%) in 2021, organic rice, pasta and noodles witnessed the highest growth rate over 2020-21.
• Organic beverages in Switzerland recorded an increase of 2.4% over 2020-21, registering a market size of US$159.1 million.

• Organic packaged food in Switzerland recorded an increase of 1.3% over 2020-21 and 7.8% over 2019-21, registering a market size of US$524.9 million in 2021. Organic packaged food witnessed particularly strong growth in 2020 and was the most dynamic of all health and wellness packaged food categories. They key driver for this rise in demand was the Covid-19 pandemic, as consumers turned to organic options in an attempt to improve their health and boost their immunity. To fulfil this demand, Swiss farmers increasingly adopted organic farming practices and organic farming now represents a significant portion of the country's total arable land.
• Organic beverages also witnessed a sharp rise in demand in 2020. Pre-pandemic, Switzerland was already one of the leading countries for organic beverage consumption in Western Europe and the country has one of the largest per capita spending rates on organic products in the world. Swiss consumers perceive organic beverages to be of higher quality and healthier than non-organic offerings. Swiss consumers generally followed an organic diet pre-pandemic to avoid consuming products with additives, aim to reduce their negative environmental impact and to fulfil their ethical responsibilities. Consumer preference also leans towards local products and they desire transparency regarding product origin, which was accelerated by the pandemic. Local products which have witnessed high growth include organic juices made solely with local products, such as Biotta Juices or Biotta Smoo’Teas. Initially organic products were only affordable to more affluent consumers of the society, however, over the review period organic products have shown growth across all generations and all Swiss regions, as purchasing power in Switzerland spreads across the population.

• Coop and Migros were the top players in organic packaged food in 2021, with their leading private label brands. Organic baby food and organic milk formula in particular witnessed increasing popularity over the review period, which has also led to higher investment in the category from manufacturers. As consumers strive to shop local, companies like Zweifel grew in significance as they launched an organic line of natural potato chips advertised as being made from carefully chosen organic and domestic ingredients from the Swiss Alps. Migros BIO introduced Migros BIO potato chips with paprika, also promoted as being developed in Switzerland.
• Organic hot drinks captured 58.1% of sales of organic beverages in 2021 and organic soft drinks captured the remaining 41.9%. Private label, particularly from the two major retailing chains Coop and Migros, has played a strong role in developing and making organic products more accessible through affordable pricing and wide distribution – their combined share in organic beverages is nearly half of total sales. Meanwhile, in organic hot drinks, Nestlé developed its presence in 2020 through the introduction of the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Absolute Origin range to fulfil rising demand for organic hot drinks.

• Organic packaged food is forecast to record a CAGR of 2.9% over the forecast period 2022-25. Over the forecast period competition is expected to intensify between leading players and private labels. Coop’s Naturaplan (private label) is expected to remain the leading organic brand over the forecast period, though is set to face increasing competition from Migros’ Bio brand. Private label organic lines have higher prices than non-organic products, however, they are price competitive within organic packaged food and beverages which will lead to rising demand for private label organic products. Demand for locally sourced products are also expected to increase over the forecast period. These products are generally more expensive than imported organic products, however many eco-conscious consumers will be willing to pay the premium to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Organic beverages are forecast to record a CAGR of 2.7% over the forecast period 2022-25. Demand for sustainable, healthier, and natural drinks, is expected to continue driving growth in organic beverages across different regions and demographics in Switzerland. Organic fruit/vegetable juice sales are also expected to rise over the forecast period as consumer demand for beverages with specific health and immunity boosting properties rises. Though the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will recede, consumers will continue to remain health conscious. Demand for these properties within organic beverages can be demonstrated by the popularity of recent Biotta brand launches, such as wild berry juice with a functional positioning. Further, products focused on boosting immunity and innovative launches are likely to appear in the coming years.

• The consumption of health and wellness products is forecast to record a CAGR of 2.0% over the forecast period 2022-25. Heightened health awareness and consciousness brought about by Covid-19 will continue to drive the growth of health and wellness products in Switzerland as effects of the pandemic recede. Products with less or zero sugar and natural ingredients will witness high demand and are expected to boost growth across health and wellness categories.
• The “shop local” trend is also set to continue, boosting sales of organic packaged food and organic beverages. These products are also more likely to become more widely available in off-trade channels. The Covid-19 pandemic has also instigated longer-term shifts which could continue driving off-trade sales in the coming years. Growth in health and wellness categories is also expected to be driven by retail channels as the pandemic led to the increased prevalence of remote working and the new habits formed whilst spending a greater amount of time at home, whereas various foodservice outlets have closed or have only recently begun to re-open.

Economy: 

• Real GDP growth recovered to 3.7% in 2021 and is projected to moderate to 2.7% in 2022.
• Inflation in Switzerland is forecast to increase to 1.1% in 2022 from 0.6% in 2021.
• Gross Fixed Capital Formation in Switzerland increased in real terms during 2021, on the back of economic recovery, improving business confidence and favourable financing conditions.

Population demographics: 

• The population of Switzerland rose to 8.7 million in 2021 and is expected to hit 8.9 million by 2025.
• The gain in population is mainly driven by immigration and a higher birth rate than death rate. 
• The median age in 2021 was recorded at an all-time high 43.1 years. This is further expected to increase to 45.2 years by 2030. 

Income & expenditure: 

• Per capita gross income in Switzerland is forecast to increase by 22% in real terms over 2021-2040.
• Over the 2020-2030 period, Switzerland is projected to retain its position and rank second out of 84 countries in Euromonitor International’s Wealth Index.
• Swiss income inequality is predicted to remain among the lowest in Western Europe, on account of effective income distribution.

[1] Health and Wellness Definition: Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products. The above definition and more can be referenced from the definitions table at the end of the report.

Top 5 Cities By Population

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Top 5 Export Commodities To Switzerland

Note : Total organics is the sum of all exports to a country within a year.

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG)

Agency(s) Contact Information:

Federal Office for Agriculture
Schwarzenburgstrasse 165
3003 Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: + 41 (0)31 322 25 11
Fax: + 41 (0)31 322 26 34
Email: bio@blw.admin.ch
Web

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

Switzerland has an Equivalency Agreement with the United States. 

Ordinance on Organic Farming and the Labeling of Organically Produced Plant Products and Foodstuffs
EAER Ordinance on Organic Farming

Date of Implementation: 1998

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

The Ordinance applies to the labelling of the following products as organic products: a. unprocessed agricultural crop and livestock products and production animals; b. processed agricultural crop and livestock products intended for human consumption, prepared essentially from ingredients of plant and/or animal origin; c. feed materials, compound feedingstuffs and feedingstuffs not covered under letter a. and which are used for the feeding of production animals. It also applies to yeasts used for foodstuffs or animal feedingstuffs. The ordinance does not apply to hunting, fishing and aquaculture and its products.

The following do not require certification: a. the preparation of products of organic origin at the point of sale provided that no comparable conventionally-prepared products are prepared in the same production unit and the prepared products are delivered to the consumers solely at the point of sale; b. the preparation of foodstuffs and dishes in restaurant and catering facilities; c. the storage and marketing of products packaged ready for sale and labelled, which are intended solely for Switzerland, provided they do not undergo further preparation before delivery to consumers; d. the preparation of certified semi-finished products at the point of sale, provided that no further ingredients are required; e. the portioning of openly sold foodstuffs in front of the customer; f. the slaughtering of animals in slaughterhouses and abattoirs; g. internal trade with animals of the bovine species.

Switzerland and the United States have an equivalency agreement which allows organic products certified in the U.S. or Switzerland to be sold as organic in either country.

Both Switzerland and the EU mutually recognize each other’s certification schemes. Imports from EU countries or countries on the third country list of the Swiss regulation must be accompanied by a certificate from an inspection body from the respective country. An individual import license is required for imports from other countries.

Switzerland also has equivalency arrangements with Canada, Japan, and Chile. More information.

Guidance document: Imports of organic products

Certification:

A list of approved certifiers is available.

Accreditation:

After consultation with the Swiss Accreditation Service, the Federal Office shall approve certification bodies of other states wishing to practice on Swiss territory if these are able to prove they hold a qualification equivalent to that required in Switzerland. In particular certification bodies must produce evidence that : a. they are able to fulfill the requirements laid down in Article 28 (2); b. they are able to undertake the obligations laid down in Article 30; c. they are familiar with the relevant Swiss legislation.

Reference Standards:

On the third country list of the European Union

Additional Information:

U.S. International Trade Administration

USDA’S GAIN Report Electronic Certificate of Inspection Required for EU Organics Trade (2017)