The stable growth trajectory of the Swiss organic market in 2024

In agriculture, the organic share amounted to 18.2 percent of utilised agricultural area, likewise remaining unchanged, despite a slight decline in the number of Knospe-certified farms to 7,272.

According to the new strategy that was also presented, the market share is to reach 15 percent by 2030.

Swiss consumers continued to purchase organic products frequently in 2024. The market share in retail trade remained stable at 12.3 percent (the figure, which is higher compared to the previous year, is the result of a data revision). The entire organic sector (retail trade plus specialist retail, direct marketing and other sales channels) generated revenue of 4.148 billion francs in the past year. The most important sales channels remained unchanged: Coop with a market share of 42.5 percent and Migros (32.5%). These are followed by other retail trade, which also includes discount retailers, with a share of 9.5 percent, corresponding to revenue of 398 million francs. Despite percentage growth of 7.9 percent, the absolute increase amounts to 30 million francs, placing it at the same level as organic growth at Coop.

Swiss agriculture is set to become more sustainable by 2040: 25 percent organic land

Bio Suisse also presented its new strategy, consisting of an overarching forecast on the development of Swiss agriculture and the food industry, an association ambition through 2040, and a concrete strategy through 2030. In its forecast, the association assumes that agriculture in Switzerland will become even more sustainable by 2040 — including on conventional farms. Organic methods are already being applied across all of agriculture today, including the use of rotary hoes in arable farming. This trend is expected to continue. At the same time, consumers are paying closer attention to their money and have less time for grocery shopping. Within this field of tension, the association will continue to evolve and aims to have 10’000 members farming 25 percent of agricultural land by 2040.

By 2030, the association aims to increase the market share of organic food to 15 percent. To achieve this goal, various sub-targets have been defined across five areas. These include, above all, reliable prospects for trade and processing in the form of secured sales at appropriate prices. Also included are a continued well-known and trustworthy brand that meets the highest ecological and ethical standards, as well as an organic-supportive agricultural and food policy and stronger per-capita consumption.

Slightly fewer, but larger farms

As of 31 December 2024, 7’8272 (-90) agricultural operations held Bud certification. They farmed an area of 190’080 hectares, corresponding to an unchanged share of
18 percent. The fact that the area share remains constant suggests that existing farms may be taking over additional land and converting to organic production. Bio Suisse attributes the decline in the number of farms to the ongoing generational transition and the low number of new registrations.

The majority of new conversions come from the cantons of Bern (+24 organic farms), Vaud (+16), Lucerne and Zurich (+15 each). Despite a slight decrease of 1.1 percent to a new figure of 62.6 percent, the canton of Graubünden remains unchallenged in having the largest share of organic farms. Bern, with 1’370 farms, remains the canton with the highest number of organic holdings.

The low conversion numbers also have an impact on the supply in the market. Organic milk in particular is in demand in certain regions. Swiss organic label wheat for the popular organic breads in retail continues to be in high demand. In terms of market share, the organic egg remains the most successful product. The organic egg industry is confident that the decision to end chick culling by the end of 2026 will be successfully implemented and will further increase the product's popularity.

Organic in figures now online

Organic in figures comes in a new look: All figures for the current year and previous years are now available in interactive tables for the media and the interested public. This means you can compare figures from different years with a single click. You can also sort values and zoom into charts.

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