Statistics and analyses
In 2023, Switzerland’s foreign agricultural trade weakened slightly compared with the previous year. However, it remained at a similarly high level to the unprecedented peak of 2022. For the first time in at least 35 years, the trade balance for dairy products, eggs and honey was negative.
Foreign agricultural trade
The agricultural tariff lines correspond to those agreed with the World Trade Organization (WTO). They also include all chapters of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (World Customs Organization) from Chapter 25 onwards, which cover both agricultural and industrial products. Only agricultural products have been taken into account.
Foreign trade at a high level
Agricultural exports and imports both fell slightly in 2023. However, the figures for both were close to their record high of 2022. Agricultural exports amounted to CHF 10.48 billion or 4% of total exports. This equates to a difference of CHF 4.33 billion compared to agricultural imports, which totalled CHF 14.81 billion or 7% of total imports.
The agricultural trade balance deteriorated by 1.3% in 2023 compared with 2022. This was due to a higher decline in exports than imports (–2.8% and ‒1.6 % respectively). As such, the agricultural trade balance in 2023 was in line with the average for 2000–2004.
The year-on-year decline in exports (–CHF 304 million) in 2023 was due in particular to beverages (–CHF 360 million) and to gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts (–CHF 58 million). The decline in these segments is higher than the export growth recorded for chocolate (+CHF 111 million) and prepared animal feed (+CHF 41 million).
Imports declined significantly less (–CHF 247 million) than exports. Cereals (CHF 150 million) and coffee (CHF 125 million) fell particularly sharply. This downward trend was stronger than the rise in imports recorded for prepared animal feed (+CHF 80 million). Detailed data can be found in the Swiss foreign trade statistics. Cross-border shopping tourism is not included in the figures.
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Two thirds of Switzerland’s foreign trade is with the EU
The EU27 is still Switzerland’s most important agricultural trading partner. In 2023, 74% of all imports came from the EU, while 50% of all exports went to the EU. Overall trade (imports and exports) with the EU accounted for 64% of Switzerland’s total trade.
Imports of bottled red wine from the EU were particularly high in 2023 (CHF 664 million). On the export side, trade in roasted coffee was especially strong (CHF 1.3 billion). Germany, France and Italy alone account for 63% of trade with the EU, and Switzerland’s agricultural trade balance with these countries is negative (as it is with the EU as a whole). Trade balances with the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada are positive, at CHF 1.266 billion, CHF 371 million and CHF 356 million respectively.
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Trade balance for dairy products at a historic low
In 2023, 37% of Switzerland’s foreign agricultural trade (imports and exports) was accounted for by coffee, tobacco, plant extracts such as pectin (Chapters 9, 13 and 24 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System) and beverages such as wine and soft drinks (Chapter 22).
The trade balance for coffee, tobacco and plant extracts (Chapters 9, 13 and 24) was particularly high, at CHF 2.2 billion. The export surplus for food preparations, including chocolate (Chapters 18 and 21), was six times lower by comparison (CHF 366 million). In contrast, the trade balances for fruit, vegetables and live plants (Chapters 6, 7, 8 and 20) (–CHF 3.3 billion), cereals and cereal products (Chapters 10, 11, 19) (–CHF 745 million) and meat and meat products (Chapters 2 and 16) (–CHF 726 million) were particularly negative.
For the first time in at least 35 years, the trade balance for dairy products, eggs and honey (Chapter 4) was negative (–CHF 51 million). This was due to the trade balance for dairy products, which was still positive, but dipped to a historic low (CHF 97 million). In 1990–1992, this figure was three times as high (CHF 319 million).
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Processing trade
Processing is an essential part of Switzerland’s foreign agricultural trade.
Inward processing involves temporarily importing foreign goods for processing or treatment in Switzerland and subsequently re-exporting them. In 2023, Switzerland imported agricultural products worth CHF 244 million under regular inward processing. This equated to 2% of total Swiss agricultural imports (CHF 14.8 billion), or 56% more than in 2002. The main products were sugar (excluding sucrose), boneless beef for the production of Bündnerfleisch, vegetable fats and oils, whey, butter and other milk fats, and milk powder. In the same year, Switzerland re-exported agricultural products worth CHF 2.37 billion under inward processing. This equated to 23% of its total agricultural exports (CHF 10.5 billion), or 111% more than in 2002. The main products were soft drinks, infant food preparations, chocolate, cigarettes, other food preparations, filled pasta, fragrances and dried beef. In addition to these figures for inward processing carried out under the regular procedure, there is also a special procedure.
Outward processing involves processing or treating goods of domestic origin outside Switzerland and then re-importing them. These goods flows are less significant than for inward processing. In 2023, CHF 32 million of the agricultural exports from Switzerland were handled as outward processing. This equated to 0.3% of Switzerland’s total agricultural exports, or 76% more than in 2002. The most important products were wheat flour, condensed dairy cream, potatoes, poultry and pork, and durum wheat semolina. In 2023, re-imports under outward processing amounted to CHF 71 million, which equated to 0.5% of Switzerland’s total agricultural imports, or a rise of 182% compared to 2002. The largest share consisted of bakery products, potatoes in the form of crisps or chips, meat preparations and preserved meat, dairy cream, prepared vegetables, cigars and pasta.
Imports and customs tariffs
In 2023, 48% of Swiss agricultural imports were duty-free, primarily based on preferential tariffs with the EU, zero tariffs with all members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) or customs facilitations for special usages of imported goods. Customs tariff exemptions were also granted under free trade agreements with third countries, for the benefit of developing countries and for processing trade. The weighted average gross customs tariff for all imported agricultural products amounted to 4% of the import value. This relatively low average tariff was due to the fact that goods can also be imported at the quota tariff, which by definition is lower than the out-of-quota tariff.
Frequently asked questions
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).