Chestnut industry

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The humble chestnut has shed its husk to become a trend food in Switzerland, as it has in many parts of the world. However, supply from Switzerland’s own chestnut belt cannot keep up with local demand. In the early years of the 20th century, chestnut orchards covered vast stretches of the countryside in the southern canton of Ticino. This was because the local Italian-speaking population depended on the chestnut for survival. Then the good times came and the orchards were abandoned. Swiss Radio International’s Dale Bechtel (beck-tell) reports on the state of the Swiss chestnut industry.