KEY FIGURES FIGURES

KEY FIGURES

Here, we present a few key figures that show how important agriculture is to Switzerland and the issues facing agritech in the country.

AGRICULTURE IN SWITZERLAND 13,2%

Agriculture accounts for 13.2% of Switzerland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making it the country’s fourth-largest contributor.

Switzerland is in the top 20 of countries with the highest level of investment in food production6

50’039

the number of farms in Switzerland in 2019, compared to 111,302 in 19754

70,2%

of the utilised agricultural area (UAA) is pastureland (13.6% is cereal crops)

2X MORE START-UPS IN 2 YEARS

The number of agritech start-ups doubled between 2016 and 2019, and this growth is continuing, including in terms of funding campaigns

33%

the CO2 emissions reduction target for Swiss agriculture by 2050

11%

the fall in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture between 1990 and 20175 The SFF at Tänikon (Canton of Thurgau), aspires to become the European smart farming platform.

66%

the CO2 emissions reduction target for the food production industry by 2050

24%

the di erent sectors of the food production industry were responsible for 24% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire Swiss economy in 2019

59%

of the foodstu s consumed in Switzerland are from domestic agricultural production

81 HA

the area of farmland covered by the Swiss Future Farm (SFF), dedicated to agritech experiments

As we shall see later, the food production sector is an extension of the agricultural value chain. It is helpful to quote some key figures from this sector here.

FOOD PRODUCTION IN SWITZERLAND 70%

Nearly 70% of arable land worldwide is used for animal production (pasture and fodder), this accounts for 30% of the planet’s landmass*.

*According to Extenso, the University of Montreal’s Nutrition Reference Centre

INDUSTRY

230’000

The food and agriculture sector includes nearly 50,000 business entities and 51,000 farms, accounting for more than 230,000 jobs, according to the Swiss Federal Statistical O ice (FSO).

WASTE

2,8 MILLION

In Switzerland, food waste is estimated at 2.8 million tonnes per year, two-thirds of which is avoidable, according to the Federal O ice for the Environment (FOEN).

43%

The food production industry is responsible for around 43% of the 1.7 million tonnes of avoidable food waste.

68%

Hotels and restaurants could reduce their waste by 68%.

INVESTMENT

2,6 BILLION

Every year, CHF 2.6 billion is invested in food innovation, according to Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley.

MEAT

36%

Livestock farming accounts for 36% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from food production, according to the IPCC.

50 KG

Worldwide, an average of around 35 kg of meat is consumed per person every year. In Switzerland, this figure is 50 kg.