While only about 50% of the tomatoes consumed in this country come from Switzerland, the share of domestic production for peppers is a mere two per cent. All the rest is imported from abroad. The main suppliers are Spain and the Netherlands.

The large-scale import of these vegetables is surprising, given that tomatoes and peppers top the list of the most popular vegetables in Switzerland: the annual per capita consumption of peppers is 5.15 kilograms, while for tomatoes – the vegetable with the highest turnover in the Swiss retail trade – it is almost seven kilograms. So both vegetables are extremely popular. Added to this is the fact that regional products are more in demand than ever. So why are so many imported?

As the magazine Schweizer Bauer reports, there are reasons for the low level of self-sufficiency. In an interview, Emanuel Golder from the Federal Office for Agriculture reports that Swiss production has been comparatively low this year due to disease pressure and a lack of light. A large proportion of the 14 hectares of Swiss pepperoni, which are mainly grown in greenhouses and with an organic label, have been destroyed.

The vegetable was particularly affected by the tomato virus ToBRFV (Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus). This is a plant virus that affects tomatoes and peppers, causing considerable damage. Leaves and fruits become discoloured, growth is inhibited and, in the worst case, the plant dies completely.

The consequences are devastating: this year, around 150 tonnes of cherry tomatoes had to be imported, compared to only 30 tonnes last year.

Farmers lose 70% of their harvest

It is surprising that the plant virus is still wiping out the vegetables. The acreage for tomatoes in Switzerland is steadily increasing, which should actually have an impact on supply – but this has not yet been achieved. As Markus Waber from the Association of Swiss Vegetable Producers explains, weather-related fluctuations are a problem. Cool, wet and cloudy weather conditions can cause crop failures, while warm periods promote growth.

The situation is also precarious for other crops this year. Potato farmers are sounding the alarm, describing conditions as disastrous, and the heavy rain has also had a massive impact on winegrowers. These examples illustrate the fact that extreme weather conditions such as the heavy precipitation this year favour diseases and lead to crop failures and consequently to the low level of self-sufficiency. In order to continue regional production, more technological support is needed, such as modern pesticides or new breeding technologies.

In the case of the tomato virus, modern plant breeding in the sense of plant genetics could make an important contribution and reduce crop failures. The industry has already provided appropriate solutions and is constantly conducting further research: For example, Syngenta developed the first tomato varieties that are resistant to the virus, and they have been available to buy and plant since the beginning of 2021. The company has recognised the massive impact of the virus on farmers and is responding quickly: ‘Tomato brown rugose fruit virus has a significant impact on farmers. In fact, farmers can lose up to 70% of their crop to the virus, and it spreads quickly,’ said Marcel Prins, Head of Germplasm Development, in a statement.

But new varieties alone are not a panacea. Modern pesticides are also part of the toolbox and are essential to prevent crop losses, as Bernese winegrowers have had to discover again this year. Unfortunately, there has been an approval backlog at the federal level for years. If Swiss politicians were more open to the approval of modern crop protection and new breeding methods, farmers would not only be better able to meet the high demand for high-quality vegetables, but would also be able to meet consumer demand for regional products.