The makers of sweet products benefit from the federal subsidies paid to sugar beet farmers in Switzerland.
This content was published on
1 minute
SRF/sm
The price of sugar in Switzerland has been on the decline for years. As a result, 400 farmers have quit producing it in recent years. Sugar beet producers receive annual subsidies amounting to CHF36 million ($38 million).
Thanks to the low sugar price, the savings created through these federal funds go indirectly to the companies that buy Swiss sugar, points out Swiss public television, SRFExternal link.
Austrian beverage maker Red Bull, for example, fills three billion cans of its energy drink in St Gallen, eastern Switzerland, each year. Each can contains 27 grams of sugar; in other words, seven sugar cubes.
SRF calculates that Red Bull buys about 25% of the sugar produced in Switzerland. That means savings of up to CHF10 million. In a statement, Red Bull told SRF that these estimates were wrong, and added, “we don’t see it as our job to comment publicly on Swiss sugar beet policy”.
Other major sugar customers include chocolate producers as well as Swiss supermarket chains Coop and Migros.
More
More
Obesity figures stabilise among Swiss kids
This content was published on
One in six schoolchildren (17.3%) was overweight or obese in Switzerland last year, a survey has revealed.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Swiss investigate four people linked to Russian oligarch
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is investigating four individuals linked to Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov.
Swiss government scrambles to deal with egg shortage
This content was published on
From September 1, more eggs intended for consumption may be imported into Switzerland. In allowing this, the government wants to secure the supply of eggs for consumers.
This content was published on
Agricultural research sees new development opportunities for Swiss sparkling wines in the face of declining wine consumption. In a survey, half of consumers expressed a willingness to pay more for local products than for foreign ones.
Locarno spotlights filmmakers from South America and Caribbean
This content was published on
The Open Doors section of the Locarno Film Festival has named the winners for 2024. The spotlight is on the South American and Caribbean regions.
Storm paralyses trains to popular Swiss tourist resort
This content was published on
The railway line between Zweilütschinen and Grindelwald in central Switzerland is expected to remain closed until Friday following heavy rains.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss pensioners most likely age group to be overweight
This content was published on
Swiss seniors are much more likely to be overweight that other age categories, new statistics from the Federal Office for Public Health show.
Beverage producers’ survey finds ‘clear majority’ of Swiss oppose a sugar tax
This content was published on
A soft drink industry group says that most Swiss reject the idea of a sugar tax, believing that dietary habits should be an individual responsibility.
Are low-sugar treats an option in the land of chocolate?
This content was published on
Companies in Switzerland have started voluntarily reducing sugar in their products, but it’s proving quite a challenge for the industry.
This content was published on
How much alcohol or how many cigarettes do the Swiss consume every day? Do they exercise or watch their diet? A new survey reveals all.
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.