Swiss cheese industry sees export levels decline

Figures for the first half of 2017 show that Swiss cheese export levels for 2016 could not be maintained with 31,879 tons of exported cheese, processed cheese and ready-made dough (-77.2 tons or -0.2%). The cheese varieties known for export were unable to expand their market positions and suffered losses. Winners were cheaper cheese products.

In the first half of the year, the Swiss cheese industry totalled CHF265 million (€232m). This corresponds to a decrease of -0.9% compared to the previous year. This is due to the lower average export price. About 40% of Swiss milk is processed into 650 different Swiss cheese specialties. Of these, 30% are exported to more than 60 countries worldwide.

The main sales market for Swiss cheese is Europe with about 26,131 tons exported. Germany buys most with 14,244 tons, followed by Italy with 5,079 tons and France with 2,115 tons. Exports to countries outside Europe increased by 229 tons (+ 4.0%) to a total of 5,748 tons in the first half of 2017.

The strong Swiss franc also affects cheese imports. With an average import price of CHF6.21 per kilogram the foreign cheeses are much cheaper than the Swiss cheese.

In the first half of 2017 the volume of imports increased by + 4.4% or + 1298 tons to 30,479 tons.

Around 83% of imports come from Italy (10.325 tons, + 1.3%), France (6482 tons, -9.1%) and Germany (8297 tons, + 18.4%).

The strong import growth from Germany is partly due to the extremely low import price of CHF 3.90/kg.

Fresh cheese (+ 1139 tons or + 10.4%), half-hard cheese (+ 197 tons or + 3.7%) and hard cheese (+ 170 tons or + 7.1%) are particularly popular, while the extra hard cheeses (-171 tons or -6.9%) and the processed cheese (-20 tons or -1.0%) have lost. Soft cheese remained stable at a high level (-17.5 tons or -0.3%).

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