The Swiss are consuming more and more organic food. Sales increased a further 7.5% in 2014, despite prices generally being higher than conventional products.
One third of the Swiss purchase organic products many times in one week, allowing for the market to double in a decade, currently reaching a turnover of over 2 billion francs. French-speaking Swiss consume less organic produce than the German-speaking population, but they are catching up.
The organic market in Switzerland is still dominated by Coop, followed by Micros and developing specialised green groceries. However, Migros has just associated with German organic chain, Al Natura, who already import and resell products for less in German speaking Switzerland, French speaking Switzerland will soon follow.
Whilst the overall number of farmers is decreasing in Switzerland, the number of organic farms is increasing, reaching 6,387 in 2014. In Grisons, over half of the farms comply with organic farming principles - a record figure in Switzerland.
Organic tomatoes cost almost 50% more than conventionally farmed tomatoes, currently costing 7 francs/kilo.