As global agriculture faces increasing challenges due to climate change, the Swiss berry industry is no exception. This summer’s wet and sunless weather has created a difficult environment for berry growers, highlighting the vulnerabilities and resilience of different cultivation methods. Martin Egger, operations manager at Tobi Seeobst AG in Egnach, provides insights into the current state of berry farming in Switzerland, particularly focusing on strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and currants.
Strawberries: Rising Challenges in Open Ground Cultivation
The 2024 Swiss strawberry season began with optimism as the first tunnel-grown strawberries were harvested in mid-April. However, the early promise of the season soon gave way to difficulties in open field cultivation. Egger reports that the open ground harvest, which started early in May, faced significant losses, with some plants failing by up to 50%.
“Growing open ground strawberries tends to become more difficult in summer,” Egger notes. The high disease pressure, compounded by a lack of sufficient warm weather to control pests like the cherry vinegar fly, has made traditional open field cultivation increasingly unsustainable. As a result, there is growing interest in protected cultivation methods, such as greenhouse farming, which offer better control over environmental conditions. However, the process of obtaining the necessary planning permissions remains a significant hurdle.
Despite these challenges, the demand for Swiss strawberries has remained strong, with stable and high price levels throughout the season. Unlike in previous years, the typical price drop during peak season did not occur, driven by the limited supply.
Raspberries: Slow Start, Stable Prices
Raspberry growers have faced similar issues. The season started slowly, with reasonable quantities only being harvested after several weeks. However, like strawberries, the price for local raspberries has remained high and stable due to the low supply. Currently, Tobi Seeobst AG is harvesting around 30 tonnes of raspberries per day, but the overall quantities are still insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Blueberries: Navigating Competition and Disease Pressure
Blueberries have shown a more optimistic outlook despite facing their own set of challenges. The harvest began at the end of June, and despite the increased disease pressure, Egger is optimistic about achieving a record harvest. However, the competition from cheaper imported blueberries from countries like the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany continues to be a significant challenge for Swiss producers.
“Swiss blueberries are becoming increasingly popular with consumers,” says Egger, even though they are more expensive than imported varieties. This consumer preference for local produce is a positive trend for the industry, although the economic pressures from cheaper imports are not to be underestimated.
Blackberries and Currants: The Importance of Marketing
For blackberries, the harvest is in full swing, and the supply is ample. However, successful marketing is crucial for ensuring that these berries reach consumers. Egger points out that promotions at the point of sale (PoS) are essential for managing the abundant supply. Unlike previous years where insufficient promotions led to overstocking, this year’s retail strategies appear better aligned with production levels, helping to prevent wastage.
Currants and gooseberries, which complete the berry assortment at Tobi Seeobst AG, face challenges of their own. Excessive rainfall has negatively impacted the storability of these fruits, leading to quicker spoilage. In past years, modern storage technologies allowed Swiss currants to be marketed well into December, but this will likely not be possible this year, with the season potentially ending earlier than usual.
Future Outlook
The challenges faced by Swiss berry growers this year underscore the importance of adapting cultivation methods to changing environmental conditions. The increasing interest in protected cultivation, despite its regulatory hurdles, reflects a broader trend towards more controlled and sustainable farming practices. For investors and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, these developments present both challenges and opportunities, particularly in the areas of technology and infrastructure that support sustainable agriculture.
As the demand for locally grown produce continues to rise, there is significant potential for growth in the Swiss berry industry, provided that producers can navigate the complexities of climate change, disease management, and market competition.
