FOAG statistical surveys
The Federal Office for Agriculture compiles agriculture-related statistics every year. On this page, you will find factsheets for each set of statistics, including details of the relevant legislation, a description of the methodology and the revision policy.
The FOAG as part of Switzerland’s official statistics system
The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) is part of the Swiss statistical system ‒ a network of approximately 40 federal offices and other institutions that are subject to the Federal Statistics Act. The majority of cantons and several larger towns and cities have their own regional statistical services.
We have an obligation under the Federal Statistics Act to maintain professional independence and impartiality when producing and disseminating official statistics. Statistical data supports the political process by providing a foundation for informed public debate, planning and decision-making.
The Federal Statistical Office plays a coordinating role at federal level as a centre of expertise and hub in Switzerland’s decentralised data ecosystem. // The Federal Statistical Office is responsible for coordinating Switzerland’s decentralised statistics ecosystem at federal level, serving as a hub and centre of expertise
Farm Accountancy Data Network
The Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) is a federal statistical survey organisation based at the Agroscope research institute. As mandated by the legislator, Agroscope monitors the economic situation of Swiss farms and farming families. The monitoring is based on two annual surveys or samples: the Income Situation sample (ISS) is used to monitor the income situation of farms and farm households, while the Farm Management sample (FMS) provides detailed operational statistics for the major agricultural production branches.
Direct payment statistics
Land area, livestock numbers and other information required to calculate direct payments are collected annually from farmers as part of the Farm Census. Information on the direct payments distributed for each measure is published canton by canton on the FOAG website as part of the annual agricultural report.
Market monitoring
Under Article 27 of the Federal Act on Agriculture (AgricA), commodity prices that are affected by federal agricultural policy measures are subject to market monitoring at various levels, from production to consumption. The data is collected from market participants. The FOAG regularly publishes the aggregated prices of agricultural products and related processed products and other relevant market data and analyses on the Agricultural and Food Markets data portal. This data provides an objective, transparent and scientific picture of developments on the Swiss agricultural and food markets.
Orchards in Switzerland
As part of the tracking of planting and grubbing-up activity involving fruit trees, the FOAG surveys the land area planted with different types of fruit in Switzerland. The results of the survey are published annually as the ‘Obstanlagen der Schweiz’ (Orchards in Switzerland) statistics. They serve as the basis for planning fruit growing and for making decisions about fruit growing and the environment.
Wine industry statistics
As part of the tracking of planting and grubbing-up activity in viticulture, the FOAG surveys the land area planted with vines. In addition to the area survey, the grape harvest and its use are also tracked. The results of the survey are published annually as the wine industry statistics ‘Das Weinjahr’ (The Wine Year). The report contains figures on viticulture in Switzerland and wine stocks as at 31 December of the previous year. It also provides information on wine production, consumption and import/export.
Swiss Soil Monitoring Network
The Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (NABO) is a long-term programme that monitors the state of Swiss soils and background contamination levels. This information is incorporated into policy measures and enforcement tasks that aim to preserve soil functions (i.e. production, regulation and habitat functions) over the long term. The main focus is on key figures for soil impacts, which are important for assessing soil fertility and soil health in general. Jointly run by the FOEN and the FOAG, NABO maintains around 120 sites across the whole of Switzerland.
Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (NABO)
Agri-environmental monitoring
The Federal Office for Agriculture periodically assesses the development of farms’ ecological performance and the impact of agriculture on natural resources. It evaluates the quantitative and qualitative effects of agricultural policy using national, regional and farm-based eco-indicators.
Agricultural Species and Habitats Monitoring Programme (monitoring network)
The Agricultural Species and Habitats Monitoring Programme (ALL-EMA) has been recording the status and development of species and habitat diversity in Switzerland’s agricultural landscape and in biodiversity promotion areas since 2015. The focus is on five main indicators: habitat diversity in a landscape; spatial heterogeneity of habitats in a landscape; local species diversity; landscape-scale species diversity; and habitat-typical species diversity.
ALL-EMA ‘Agricultural Species and Habitats’ Monitoring Programme
Further information
The FOAG provides a reduced English-language version of its website that does not include all further information such as documents, legislation or links. These can be found on the pages in the three official languages (German, French and Italian).