Switzerland: Great increase in cherry tomatoes, pepperoni and zucchetti

Tomatoes are the front runners when it comes to the import of fresh vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, peretti tomatoes, pepperoni, zuchchetti, salad cucumbers, head lettuce and iceberg lettuce showed a strong increase in imports over the last ten years.

With the import of fresh vegetables, tomatoes have been at the spearhead for a long time, whereas import volumes have been declining for years. The average yearly import volume of fresh tomatoes in 2001 up to 2004 was 41,349 t, ten years later in 2011-2014 this was 37,767 t (-9%). Among others, increased domestic production contributed to this development. Closer examination shows that far fewer classic tomatoes (-32%) and beef tomatoes (-41%) were imported. On the other hand, the quantities of imported cherry tomatoes (+143%) and peretti tomatoes (+84%) increased strongly. These shifts reflect in the altered preferences of the consumers as well.

A large increase in the average yearly import volume between 2001-2004 and 2011-2014 can also be established with pepperoni (+45%), zucchetti (+44%), salad cucumbers (+30%), head lettuce (+28%) and iceberg lettuce (without cover leaves) (+26%). An important reason for this development is the demand of the consumers (including population growth).

Carrots were on a strong decline (-22%). The domestic share of carrots is comparatively high. It was at about 75% in 2014.

Source: www.blw.admin.ch