Number of Bio Suisse members rose to more than 6,400 in 2017

In Switzerland, there are currently more organic farms than ever before. According to information from the umbrella organization, Bio Suisse, the number of its members in Switzerland and Liechtenstein increased in 2017 -compared to the previous year- by 279 to 6,423 farmers. Also, the share of organic acreage within the total agricultural lands reached a new record of 14.4%.

Organic food sales reached an all-time high of more than CHF 2.7 billion (EUR 2.3 billion), compared to CHF 2.5 billion (EUR 2.1 billion) in the previous year. This corresponds to a 9% share of the total food market. At the same time, Switzerland's per capita expenditure on organic food increased by 7.0% to CHF 320 (EUR 271). Sales and value shares in the respective product markets increased in all categories.

The front runners in terms of market shares were, as in previous years, eggs with almost 27%. Vegetables remained second with 23%, followed by fresh bread with 22%. The largest sales drivers in the organic market remained dairy products and cheese, followed by vegetables, lettuces and potatoes. In third place we find meat and fish.

As Bio Suisse explained with regard to the marketing channels, Coop increased its sales in 2017 by 7.2% to CHF 1.20 billion (EUR 1.02 billion) reaching a market share of 44.3%. For Migros, sales increased by 9.9% to CHF 889 million (EUR 756 million), accounting for 32.8%.

Total direct marketing increased to CHF 144 million (EUR 122 million), compared to CHF 132 million the year before. Among other things, this development reflects the increasing need of consumers for products of known origin, according to Bio Suisse. However, sales in the organic retail trade only increased by 1.2% to CHF 275 million (EUR 233 million).

Source: lid