Further information

On this page, you will find the publications, links and FAQs relating to the foodstuffs division.

Publications

Ordinances

The ordinances concerning the Foodstuffs division are available as links in German, French and Italian.

In general

• COVID-19 and the security of food supply (in German)

  PDF3.00 MB7 July 2020

• Report of the working group "food supply" (in German)

  PDF2.42 MB10 July 2020

Switzerland's Food Security (Agroscope)

• Switzerland's Food Security 2023: Current Events and Developments (in German)

  PDF2.36 MB3 October 2023

• Switzerland's Food Security 2022: Current Events and Developments (in German)

  PDF7.51 MB19 September 2022

• Switzerland's Food Security 2021 : Current Events and Developments (in German)

  PDF3.01 MB5 August 2021

• Security of supply for Switzerland and the agricultural markets (in German)

  PDF7.11 MB14 October 2019

Potential analysis

• Nutritional potential of agricultural land: analysis of optimised domestic food production in the event of severe shortages (in German)

  PDF1.99 MB1 January 2022

FAQ

• Is there a fundamental threat to the food supply?

  At present, supplies of essential foodstuffs are secure. Domestic production plays a big part in feeding the Swiss population. That said, imports are necessary to maintain supplies. Compulsory stocks of food staples are maintained in Switzerland for release should a supply bottleneck occur (see report on stockpiling).

• Should private households keep a stock of essential goods?

  Yes, we recommend keeping emergency supplies. Even a localised event such as water contamination or power cuts can interrupt supplies for several days. Every household should therefore have emergency supplies for immediate use.

• Will global population growth lead to supply problems?

  As the world's population grows, the amount of farmland available per person is shrinking. However, global food production continues to increase, so world market supply can be considered stable, at least in the short to medium term, provided that farming inputs such as seed and energy remain consistently available and crop losses due to increasingly extreme weather events such as heat waves and droughts are kept in check.

• Is the shrinking agricultural area in Switzerland a challenge?

  In Switzerland, too, the farmland per person is shrinking. This decrease in available agricultural land per capita, coupled with more frequent extreme weather events and the spread of pathogens, is currently one of the biggest challenges for Swiss food security. The NES experts therefore stress the importance of making sustainable use of available resources such as land, water and energy. Researching and effectively implementing adaptation and mitigation measures is crucial. Breeding crops that can stand up to drought, disease and pests plays a key role in this. In the event of a rapid downturn in food security, for example due to harmful organisms, the use of chemical crop protection products will remain an option to safeguard crop yields.

• What role does the Rhine play in securing Switzerland's food supply?

  A good deal of production materials and foodstuffs are shipped on the Rhine. The transport route can be quickly hampered by extreme rainfall (flooding) or drought. In such cases, logistics can switch to alternative routes by road or rail.

• Why are there no compulsory stocks of infant formula?

  A thorough investigation into this issue was carried out about five years ago in partnership with industry and trade associations. The study concluded that no measures were needed in this area, as domestic production – which under normal circumstances is mainly destined for export – exceeds domestic demand several times over.

  If the domestic market is disrupted, leading to a shortfall in production or a surge in demand for infant formula, it can be assumed that the world market could step in to fill the gap and meet domestic demand.

• Does agriculture have a role to play in the event of shortages?

  Yes. Article 30 of the National Economic Supply Act (NESA; SR 531) underlines the importance of maintaining crop rotation areas to ensure there is enough food in the event of shortages.

  Further information: Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE

Links

Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG (in German)

Agroscope

réservesuisse Cooperative

Agricura Cooperative