© Meier Gemüse AG
The Swiss tomato harvest is currently in full swing: "In terms of production, we are quite satisfied. Although the first quarter was relatively low in sunlight, the beautiful April weather allowed our tomatoes to catch up quickly. Overall, tomato yields are already above last year's level, so I would describe the current season as quite satisfactory," reports Ruedi Meier (right), vegetable grower and managing director of Meier Gemüse AG, based in Rütihof (canton of Aargau).
The first cherry tomatoes of this year's season were harvested at the Aargau-based company at the beginning of April. Meier: "Cherry tomatoes account for around 40 percent of our tomato cultivation. We also grow vine tomatoes, oxheart tomatoes, and grape tomatoes, among others. There has been strong growth in cherry and grape tomatoes in recent years, at the expense of larger standard tomatoes. However, this consumer trend is now flattening out somewhat. Unlike in other European countries, inflation is not having a major impact on the marketing of our tomatoes. The situation was different during the coronavirus pandemic, when inexpensive, large tomatoes were particularly popular."
© Meier Gemüse AG
Meier Gemüse AG grows cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce on around 6.5 hectares of greenhouse space. Its product range includes cherry and oxheart tomatoes.
Harvesting at the Meier farm usually continues into November. "Tomato sales are fairly stable throughout the season, especially since the product is a staple in many consumers' shopping baskets. Towards the end of the season, around October, import duties are lifted and cheap imports from Southern Europe flood the market, causing demand for Swiss tomatoes to gradually decline."
In the long term, Meier considers tomato consumption in Switzerland to be "encouraging." "An important factor is the continuing increase in the Swiss population, which automatically contributes to an increase in demand for tomatoes. In addition, smaller tomatoes, such as grape and cherry tomatoes, are becoming increasingly popular. Even if consumption is only increasing minimally in terms of volume, this makes a difference in terms of value."
© Meier Gemüse AG
Insight into the tomato greenhouse
Energy-self-sufficient vegetable growing
"I want to become independent of external suppliers when it comes to energy," says Meier, outlining his company's strategy for the future. "We are seeing that the energy market is becoming more volatile, which in turn contributes to increased risks in cultivation. As a producer, you have little influence over this. The only alternative I see is to generate our own energy locally." According to Meier, however, the path to energy-self-sufficient vegetable cultivation is a lengthy process, "but we are already moving in this direction."
For more information:
© Meier Gemüse AGRuedi Meier
Meier Gemüse AG
Steinstrasse 72
CH-5406 Rütihof
Tel. +49 (0) 56 493 11 12
[email protected]
www.meiergemuese.ch
