Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Ukraine war hits supplies of food packaging material

food in plastic
Switzerland is largely dependent on foreign supplies for food packaging materials. It may start stockpiling them in case of emergencies. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

Switzerland is considering emergency stockpiling of plastic packaging as the Ukraine war brings a world shortage of packaging material, reports the NZZ am Sonntag.

Up to now the government has only stockpiled plastic to be able to produce disinfectant bottles. “With the experiences from the pandemic as well as the changed availabilities and strong price developments, the needs are being reviewed,” the Federal Office for National Economic SupplyExternal link confirmed to the paper.

The Ukraine war is causing a meteoric rise in prices for aluminium, tinplate and various types of plastic, reports the NZZ am Sonntag. Switzerland is highly dependent on foreign countries for packaging, and this is a problem in an emergency because unpackaged products can spoil before they reach the consumer, it writes.

Polyethylene (PE) plastic and polystyrene could now be included in the compulsory stock range. Supermarket Migros has already said it is open to the proposal. “We welcome the effort to strengthen Swiss national supply,” it told the paper.

More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

ChatGPT-related firm opens Zurich office

More

OpenAI to set up new office in Switzerland

This content was published on OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, says it intends to open an office in Zurich. The move is part of its European expansion plan, after setting up offices in London, Paris, Brussels and Dublin.

Read more: OpenAI to set up new office in Switzerland
OECD raises growth forecast for Swiss economy slightly

More

OECD raises growth forecast for Swiss economy

This content was published on The Swiss economy is growing slightly faster than expected, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Read more: OECD raises growth forecast for Swiss economy
The National Council cuts funding for Swiss aid abroad

More

Swiss parliament cuts foreign aid budget

This content was published on The House of Representatives on Wednesday cut the foreign aid budget by CHF250 million ($282 million) in favour of the army.

Read more: Swiss parliament cuts foreign aid budget
Farmers' movement emphasizes demands with protest in Bern

More

Swiss farmers protest over prices and bureaucracy

This content was published on Around 1,000 Swiss farmers took part in a protest action near Bern on Tuesday, calling for less administrative work, more planning security and fairer prices.

Read more: Swiss farmers protest over prices and bureaucracy
Syrian opposition fighters stand on a seized Syrian army armoured vehicle on the outskirts of Hama, Syria, 3, December 2024.

More

Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria

This content was published on The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.

Read more: Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR