Report on the situation of Swiss agriculture - July 2021

Switzerland experienced one of its rainiest months in July 2021, leading to flooding, landslides, and debris flows, and temporarily halting navigation on the Rhine. The excessive rainfall caused significant damage to agricultural crops, with some suffering total losses. Despite these challenges, the hay harvest reports are largely positive, with good to very good quality. The production of fresh vegetables saw a 7.5% decrease in June, and pome fruit and specialty spirits production also declined. Milk deliveries increased by 2.0% in June, with a shift in production towards butter and canned milk, while cheese production varied. The cattle herd grew by 0.8% by the end of June, but the number of cattle slaughtered decreased, especially among cows. Beef and veal production fell, while pigmeat production increased by 3.3%. Cheese exports increased by 3.4% in June, while imports fell 3.1%, and imports of 'other' fresh and semi-hard cheeses saw the most significant growth. Importantly, customs chapter 7 imports and exports, including coffee, tea, and spices, have significantly increased this year.