FoodstuffsFederal government takes further measures due to poor bread grain harvest
SDA
29.1.2025 - 10:34
The Federal Council has increased the import quota in order to meet the demand for bread grain. (theme picture)
Keystone
Last year, farmers in Switzerland were able to harvest less bread grain than at any time for a quarter of a century. In order to meet the demand for wheat, rye and spelt, the Federal Council has once again increased the tariff quota.
Keystone-SDA
29.01.2025, 10:34
SDA
According to Swiss Granum, the industry organization for cereals, oilseeds and protein plants, the situation is exceptional. In terms of volume, the bread grain harvest was the worst in the past 25 years, said Swiss Granum President Stephan Scheuner in late autumn 2024. The reason for this was frequent rainfall and cool weather in the period between sowing and harvesting.
Based on a complete survey of grain quantities and qualities, the grain industry had identified an additional shortfall of 60,000 tons of bread grain by the time the 2025 domestic grain harvest was completed. It therefore requested an increase in the 2025 tariff quota.
The Federal Council has now complied with this request and decided to increase the import quota by 60,000 tons, as announced on Wednesday. The corresponding amendment to the Agricultural Import Ordinance will come into force on March 1, 2025.