Swiss biscuit bakers hampered by the strong Swiss Franc

The Swiss long-life bakery product industry had to endure a 1.8% decline in sales volume to 46,550 tonnes in 2012. It saw a 1.4% drop in turnover to CHF 455.0 m. According to the association BISCOSUISSE the losses in terms of both volume and sales value can be attributed entirely to the export markets. The primary reason for this was the overvalued Swiss Franc, which has made Swiss biscuits a more expensive commodity abroad.

Standard biscuits (40.4%) and specialities (30.7%) accounted for approximately 71% of total sales. The largest growth rate in terms of volume was achieved with savoury snacks and nibbles (+ 1.6%) and with bread-like biscuits (+ 1.3%). However, sales of standard biscuits (- 1.7%), specialities (- 3.4%), long-life "fresh baked goods" (- 4.0%) and special products (- 4.2%) by volume were in decline.

Product sales on the domestic market were practically the same as in the previous year, with 31,424 tonnes. The turnover achieved through this rose slightly by 0.8% to CHF 332.3 m. The demand for the individual product groups was quite constant. There was only a marked downturn in volumes of special products sold in Switzerland (- 4.8%). Compared to the previous year the Swiss long-life bakery product manufacturers made welcome gains in their share of the domestic market from 59.3% to 59.5%, thanks to a 0.9% drop in imports to 21,408 tonnes.

The sector had to endure a 5.2% drop in exports, with 15,126 tonnes sold, resulting in a 6.9% decline in turnover. The turnover achieved with export products stood at CHF 122.7 m. The share of exported products in relation to total products sold was 32.5%. Germany still leads the 80 or so countries to which Swiss biscuits were exported in 2012, accounting for 40.1% of exports, ahead of France (15.3%) and Austria (12.3%). Saudi Arabia is now in fourth place with 4.3%.

www.biscosuisse.ch