Imports necessary due to unsatisfactory apple harvest

It was clear that the apple harvest would be modest due to the late frosts at the end of April this year. It was, however, not clear just how modest. Now the definite numbers are available. “I have been working in this industry for 26 years, but I have never experienced such a situation," says Marc Wermelinger, Managing Director of Swisscofel, Association of the Swiss Fruit, Vegetable and Potato Trade.

Nearly 40,000 tonnes of apples were in stock at the end of November, around 35 percent less than a year ago. The stock is thus clearly below the 57,000-60,000 tonnes, which the fruit industry is aiming for in each case. "This supply will quickly disappear; many varieties will soon no longer be on offer," explains Wermelinger.

Some varieties like Elstar, Rubinette or Cox Orange are already sold out. Boskoop apples had to be imported already - at a high tariff rate. The popular varieties Golden Delicious and Gala are still available in larger quantities. Nevertheless, the apples currently in stock will not last until the next harvest.

Apple stocks as of 30 November 2017 - picture: LID

According to Wermelinger, Swiss apples could be sold out in mid-April. In order to prevent this, the industry wants to import apples in order to supplement the local offer. With second-tier apples for example, for the lower priced ranges of retailers, of which there are currently too few. Wermelinger: "The apples that were harvested this year were of excellent quality, class 1 apples.”

The fruit industry has already submitted an application to the Federal Office of Agriculture for an import quota of 6,000 tonnes for the period from January to March 2018. The apple industry is currently looking forward to the decision of the federal government. Then the legislation which regulates such imports does not envisage imports like these until April and then only at a maximum level of 2,500 tonnes. “2017 is absolutely an exceptional year that requires extraordinary measures,” says Wermelinger,

If the government refuses premature supplementary imports, traders could press for the borders to be opened completely as soon as the stocks start to empty. This, in turn, will raise fears among fruit growers that too many cheap apples will be imported from overseas and that sales of Swiss apples will falter.

“Our goal is to only have those quantities imported that the Swiss market needs,” says Wermelinger. The current situation is extremely difficult for trade and producers. "Marketing a small crop is just as demanding as a big one."

Source: LID