Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss spent record amount on food in 2020

Shoppers entering a supermarket
Shoppers most often chose traditional retailers such as Migros and Coop over discounters and specialty shops for their groceries. Keystone / Laurent Gillieron

Consumers spent 11.3% more on food and beverages in brick-and-mortar shops last year than they did in 2019, helping the food retail trade to pull in a record turnover of nearly CHF30 billion ($33.7 billion).

In total, the average household spent CHF7,680 on comestibles, according to figures released on Thursday by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG), which did not include online retail in its report.

Consumers used over a third of their food budget to buy meat but spent significantly less (14%) on fruits and vegetables. More than one in 10 Swiss francs was spent on organic products.

The figures also revealed differences in spending habits among households. Urban dwellers bought less meat and milk than those living in rural areas. Families with children used the biggest share of their budget for meat products, while those without children spent most on vegetables and alcoholic drinks.

The Swiss showed a preference for traditional retailers such as Coop and Migros – accounting for nearly 77% of consumer spending on food – over discount shops (17%) and specialised outlets such as bakeries, green grocers and gas stations (6%). According to the FOAG, the retail trade is the biggest distribution channel for Swiss agricultural products.

Switzerland consistently ranks among the most expensive countries in Europe for consumer goods, particularly food and beverages. A study of online consumer banking data in April 2020 revealed that, as a result of the lockdown imposed to limit the spread of Covid-19, Swiss consumers were spending significantly less on clothing and cosmetics and more on food.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Gestational diabetes increases the risk of adult-onset diabetes

More

Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes

This content was published on A research team from the Lake Geneva region has identified persistent dysfunctions in glucose regulation in women with gestational diabetes. In the long term, this can increase the risk of adult-onset diabetes by up to ten times.

Read more: Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes
The Graubünden village of Brienz has to be evacuated by midday on Sunday

More

Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday

This content was published on The village of Brienz-Brinzauls in eastern Switzerland, which is threatened by a rockfall, must be evacuated by 1pm on Sunday. All residents must leave the village.

Read more: Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday
Former judge in Chur found guilty of rape

More

Former Swiss judge found guilty of rape

This content was published on A former judge of the Graubünden Administrative Court in eastern Switzerland has been found guilty of rape, sexual harassment and threatening a former trainee.

Read more: Former Swiss judge found guilty of rape

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