Harvests this year were marked by low yields and small quantities for most crops. Heavy rains and a lack of light have caused the lowest harvest of bread wheat in 25 years.
In 2024, bread wheat (-31.6%), spelled (-45.8%) and rye (-29.4%) will show harvests well below those of last year, the Organization of the Swiss branch of cereals, oilseeds and protein crops (swiss granum). Regarding spelled, however, it must be taken into account that the cultivated area was around 18% less than in the previous year.
In total, this year’s harvest resulted in a volume of bread cereals of 250,773 tonnes, compared to 373,136 tonnes in 2023. This is the lowest harvest in the last 25 years. Average yields are very low for all crops and are more than 30% lower than the average of the last 10 years.
Low yields were also recorded for all feed cereals, 25% to 30% lower than those of the last ten years. The rapeseed harvest also fell by 9.5% over one year, marked by unfavorable weather, but also increased pest pressure. The quantities of soya and sunflower will be recorded at the end of November.
Too much rain
Weather conditions were the main problem for bread grain harvests, particularly excessive rain and lack of light. This caused delays in planting, increased disease pressure and therefore a reduction in yield potential. The weather also affected the quality of bread wheat.
The quantities of cereals unsuitable for bread making, in particular due to contamination by mycotoxins (natural toxins produced by certain molds), amount to nearly 20,000 tonnes and can be marketed in the fodder sector. Around 2000 tonnes even had to be disposed of. All this leads to loss of income for producers.
Taking into account the stocks available on July 1, this year’s bread cereal harvest results in a positive balance of around 6,000 tonnes. According to the estimation of market partners, this quantity will not be enough until the new harvest in 2025.
A guaranteed supply
As a result, swiss granum submitted a request to the Federal Office of Agriculture, including an increase of 60,000 tonnes in the tariff quota for 2025, as well as an adaptation of the distribution of the quantities released. These measures will make it possible to make a total of 110,000 tonnes of bread cereals available during the first half of 2025.
With the increase in the tariff quota of 20,000 tonnes for 2024 already decided on October 30 by the Federal Council, the supply of bread cereals can thus be ensured until the next harvest, assures swiss granum.
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