Keystone-SDA
Swiss farmers and transformers at the first level do not benefit from the trend towards a vegetable diet. Cultivated yields and areas decrease. Agricultural representatives point to the framework conditions.
(Keystone-ATS) These can be modified, the Swiss Union of Peasants (USP), Bio Switzerland and IP-Suisse on a pearl farm (BE) underlined Thursday. According to the head of plant production of the Swiss Union of Peasants, David Brugger, quoted in the press release, the decline in surfaces and plant crop yields is a lasting evolution.
Quinoa program stop
New crops such as chickpeas, quinoa or lenses are struggling to develop. Oat for vegetable milk or flakes for breakfast, durum wheat for pasta or panic -up cereals and potatoes also have more and more difficulties due to competition from prices abroad.
This is why IP Switzerland has arrested its quinoa program, said its director Christophe Eggenschwiler. Quinoa is still available in retail, but it comes from abroad. Indigenous production still finds a niche outlet in direct sales.
Organic farming also feels pressure on prices, for example for oats, and cultivation is more difficult because organic farms are without synthetic phytosanitary products, completed Urs Brändli, president of Bio Switzerland.
Profitability
The director of the Swiss Union of Peasants, Marin Rufer, attributes problems to the lack of profitability. For many innovative crops, customs protection is lacking. In addition, climate change and gaps in phytosanitary products increase risks. Finally, Mr. RUFER notes that prices are needed which do not only cover production costs, but which also make it possible to absorb bad years.
Farmers and processing companies such as mills wish to put more vegetable foodstuffs on the market, ensure the three organizations. To do this, the framework conditions must be adapted and the value creation chain follows the movement to consumers.