After 2 bad years, Switzerland expects to bring in an average to good potato harvest this season. This reduces the chance that the country will have to import large volumes of potatoes.
Together with Germany, the Netherlands supplies 63% of the total volume of imported potatoes to Switzerland. Particularly in October and November 2016, large volumes crossed the Swiss border. After that, the export rate slowed, but managed to remain above the annual averages.
Netherlands at 1
The Netherlands is the number 1 import country. Between February 2016 and January 2017, this involved a volume of almost 37.000 tons. In Swiss francs, this amounts to CHF 12.863 million. So CHF 349 is paid per tonne. That is quite a bit cheaper than other exporting countries such as Israel (791), France (553), Spain (779) and Egypt (760).
Stressful growing season
It is not to be expected that this export success will be achieved again in the coming sales year, because the Swiss growers achieve an average to good yield, according to the Swisspatat branch organisation. Although the tubers have had a stressful growing season due to the warm periods, the potato industry is counting on a harvest of 458.919 tons, an increase of 23% compared to last year.
Rain fell regularly in the west and on the Swiss plateau, which kept production at a good level. However, the northeast had to deal with prolonged drought. This affected the development.
Above average organic harvest
According to Swisspatat, the potatoes are of good quality and of good size. Above average yields in organic potatoes. The total acreage, 200 hectares more than last year, is now 11.200 hectares. About 4.450 growers are active in Switzerland.