The significance of farming in Switzerland extends far beyond the production of foodstuffs. Without the country’s many small farms, Switzerland’s typical landscapes and picturesque alpine meadowlands would be hardly conceivable. Not only that, the preservation of natural resources and decentralised settlement patterns also lie in the public interest of the country. These indispensable contributions made by the farmers are anchored in the Swiss constitution and supported by the state. Furthermore, many upstream (supplier) and downstream (channel and buyer) agribusinesses profit from the farming industry, such as seeds manufacturers and sugar mills, for example.
Economic significance in statistics
Gross agricultural production (without microbusinesses and horticultural services) (2007): CHF 10.64 billion.
Percentage generated by livestock farming in total: 47.5%
- Meat production: CHF 2.23 billion.
- Milk production: CHF 2.23 billion.
- Crop production: CHF 4.49 billion.
Gross value added by Swiss agriculture (2007): CHF 5.61 billion.
Gross production value generated by the foodstuff sector (manufacture of foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco) (2007): CHF 32.37 billion.
Gross value added by the food and beverage sector (2007): CHF 8.30 billion.
Number of people employed in agriculture (2007): 172,991 persons (of these 45% full-time).
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