Crunch time for biscuit exports

Sales of Swiss biscuits rose by 1.5 per cent last year and profits were up by four per cent, following strong domestic demand.

But while sales at home rose by 6.9 per cent, exports shrank by 1.9 per cent, according to the confectionery and biscuit manufacturers’ association Biscosuisse.

The 47,845 tons of biscuits produced in 2008 generated sales of SFr476.2 million ($410 million).

Growth last year was less than in 2007 however, when sales rose by three per cent and profits were up by 4.6 per cent.

And while national consumption rose to the equivalent of 6.8kg a year – 200 grams more than in 2007 – exports dropped to SFr148.2 million.

Almost 40 per cent of exports head to Germany, with France, Austria and the Czech Republic also big Swiss biscuit munchers.

The figures take into account sweet biscuits as well as savoury crackers. The Swiss biscuit industry is made up of 22 manufacturers and employs around 2,200 people.