Association issues urgent call for fair conditions and political support following damaging hailstorm and prolonged drought conditions
The Swiss Fruit Association has called for action to ensure fair market conditions and guarantee domestic fruit supply in the long term, after persistent heat, drought, and severe hail damage placed Switzerland’s fruit producers under what it described as “extreme pressure”.
In a statement the group said extreme weather in recent weeks posed major for fruit growers in the country, with a prolonged drought taking its toll on crops and making production more difficult.
The situation was further exacerbated by a severe hailstorm which struck last Friday and caused significant damage to fruit crops in several growing regions.
Also of concern, the association added, was increasing economic pressure on growers, with irrigation measures, investments in protective equipment, and increased labour all requiring additional resources in order to satisfy market demand for high-quality, sustainably produced Swiss fruit.
As a result, it called for fair pricing along the entire value chain to ensure those standards continue to be met in the future.
“Those who produce high-quality Swiss fruit and simultaneously cope with the consequences of extreme weather events must not be further pressured by low-price strategies,” said Jimmy Mariéthoz, director of the Swiss Fruit Association.
The association has called on all stakeholders in the value chain to “live up to their responsibilities”, and for action at a political level.
In particular, it wants “reliable framework conditions” from policymakers and authorities so that farmers can better adapt to the consequences of climate change.
“Only with reliable framework conditions and fair market conditions can the long-term supply of domestic fruit to Switzerland be ensured,” it added.
