Declining exports of Swiss biscuits

The volumes sold abroad and the turnover achieved were both down for the fourth time in a row. The climate is set to become harsher still in 2015, given the strength of the Swiss franc and the insufficient compensation of the commodity price.

The supplementary credit announced by the Federal Council last week is not enough to offset the disadvantageous commodity price handicap – caused by Switzerland’s agricultural policy – which manufacturers who export biscuits are having to contend with. The 24 industrial manufacturers of long-life bakery products in Switzerland sold 45,444 tonnes of goods during 2014, some 2.3 % less than the previous year. The associated turnover fell by 1.1 % to CHF 456.3 million. In terms of the domestic market and at 31,711 tonnes, the companies within the Swiss industry for long-life bakery products sold slightly fewer products than the previous year (- 0.7 %). Turnover fell by 0.8 % to CHF 337.2 million.

Over the last decade, the annual volume of imported long-life bakery products has increased by more than 33 % in total. During the same period, the Swiss market share of domestic manufacturers has decreased from 65.4% to 58.9 %. Domestic sales of Swiss and imported long-life bakery products remained almost unchanged during 2014 at 53,814 tonnes. Based on overall domestic consumption, an average consumption per capita of 6.58 kg can be derived, which is equivalent to a decrease of 75 g compared to the previous year. With 13,733 tonnes of products sold, exports fell by 5.9 %. The associated turnover fell by 2.1 % to CHF 119.1 million.