Agribusiness

Explainations of how food gets onto plates via large companies, including responsible sourcing of raw materials, labour rights, food safety and quality.

Sustainable soy: when collaborating to protect the Amazon backfires

a soy field stands next to a fragment of the Amazon forest at the region of Cipoal in Santarem, Para state, Brazil.

This content was published on Feb 12, 2026 Commodity firms working together to source deforestation-free soy in Brazil are being investigated under anti-cartel laws. They also risk losing tax benefits due to pressure from powerful farming lobbies.

Food supply chains

Sustainable soy: when collaborating to protect the Amazon backfires

Opinion

Governments and industry must work across the cocoa and gold sector to address child labour

This content was published on Feb 12, 2026 Eliminating child labour in one sector risks merely displacing it into another unless complex social and economic systems are addressed comprehensively.

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates?

This content was published on Dec 16, 2025 New regulations have restricted the import of shark meat but it still finds its way on to Swiss plates due to mislabelling and the clandestine trade.

‘Läckerli Huus is not for sale’

This content was published on Nov 29, 2025 Since 2007, Miriam Baumann has been at the helm of Läckerli Huus, She tells Swissinfo what makes the Läckerli so unique.

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

This content was published on Nov 20, 2025 The US has reduced tariffs on Swiss exports from 39% to 15% but has wrangled duty-free access for American meat, fish and chicken in return. Should Swiss consumers be worried?

Chocolate bounty: Ghana at war against cocoa smugglers

This content was published on Nov 5, 2025 The Swiss chocolate industry’s main supplier of cocoa beans fights cocoa smuggling with new rewards for informants and support for farmers.

Harvesting coffee in Alfenas, Brazil, in July. The country is the world’s largest coffee producer.

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

This content was published on Oct 24, 2025 A new report by an industry watchdog adds to growing scientific consensus that as forests are felled to make way for coffee farms, rainfall decreases and crops are more likely to fail.

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

This content was published on Oct 17, 2025 In Switzerland farmers are experimenting with new crops that can withstand heat and drought. But the transition has its challenges.

Tim Hanley at his dairy farm in western Ireland, near a Nestlé factory to which he provided milk for infant formula sold in China.

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

This content was published on Oct 15, 2025 China’s baby boom enriched a small Irish town where a Nestlé factory made formula for Chinese newborns. Then a baby bust unraveled it all. Or so it seemed.

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

This content was published on Sep 26, 2025 Record prices of cocoa beans have boosted the development and adoption of cheaper replacement options that provide the same chocolate taste for less.

The meltdown at Nestlé

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.

Junk food on trial in the United States – could it happen in Switzerland?

This content was published on Dec 29, 2025 San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against multinational food companies, accusing them of contributing to rising rates of obesity, diabetes and cancer via ultra-processed foods and misleading marketing.

New Swiss food regulations for 2026: GMOs, contaminants, pesticides and mushrooms

This content was published on Dec 26, 2025 From January 2026, new food regulations will apply in Switzerland that will have an impact on consumers, farmers, exporters and importers of food products.

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates?

This content was published on Dec 16, 2025 New regulations have restricted the import of shark meat but it still finds its way on to Swiss plates due to mislabelling and the clandestine trade.

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

This content was published on Sep 15, 2025 The European Union, which wrangled a much lower US tariff, offered concessions on certain food imports. Is this an option for Switzerland?

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

This content was published on Sep 3, 2025 Food firms are counting on Gen Z to grow their profits and are exploiting their sweet tooth and penchant for social media trends to boost sales.

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Switzerland’s cows have dodged the global H5N1 bird flu so far. But if it hits dairy herds, the country’s iconic cheeses could be at risk.

family Waser produces "Niederbauer" alpine cheese

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

Does your country have enough food reserves to withstand a crisis?

This content was published on Jul 14, 2025 Despite the increasing risks of war, unpredictable weather and economic shocks to food security, only 30 countries are actively using grain reserves. Switzerland is one of them.

Vegan sausages at a supermarket in Switzerland.

Swiss court bans animal names for vegan meat substitutes

This content was published on May 5, 2025 Plant-based meat alternatives must no longer use names directly referencing animals, such as ‘vegan chicken’ or ‘vegan pork’.

Opinion

How regenerative farming and AI can drive sustainable agriculture

This content was published on Jan 8, 2025 Can regenerative farming and artificial intelligence help us resolve the contradiction between sustainable and productive agriculture?

Opinion

Governments and industry must work across the cocoa and gold sector to address child labour

This content was published on Feb 12, 2026 Eliminating child labour in one sector risks merely displacing it into another unless complex social and economic systems are addressed comprehensively.

When Swiss food start-ups fail

This content was published on Feb 11, 2026 Switzerland promotes itself as a global hub for food technology and innovation, but it is not always easy for start-ups to gain a foothold.

Nestlé chief blames Trump for company going quiet on sustainability

This content was published on Jan 22, 2026 Philipp Navratil tells staff that ESG has ‘gone off the agenda’ for US investors since president’s re-election.

Trade tariffs will weigh on growth in 2026.

What lies ahead for Switzerland: an economic outlook for 2026

This content was published on Dec 30, 2025 in 2026, the Swiss economy will face downward pressure from weaker domestic demand and ongoing uncertainty related to US import tariffs.

An apple or a donut - often a difficult choice.

Junk food on trial in the United States – could it happen in Switzerland?

Anna Hug and Marianne Wüthrich of HUG AG

HUG: ‘We see our strongest growth in foreign markets’

This content was published on Dec 27, 2025 The two co-CEOs of Swiss biscuit maker HUG say the family-owned firm is not for sale. This is not stopping them from searching for acquisition targets.

New Swiss food regulations for 2026: GMOs, contaminants, pesticides and mushrooms

This content was published on Dec 26, 2025 From January 2026, new food regulations will apply in Switzerland that will have an impact on consumers, farmers, exporters and importers of food products.

Shark meat sold in Switzerland is contaminated with methylmercury

This content was published on Dec 17, 2025 Did you know you can find shark meat on the shelves of some Swiss grocery stories? They are rarely labeled as sharks, making it difficult for customers to know what fish they’re buying and eating.

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates?

This content was published on Dec 16, 2025 New regulations have restricted the import of shark meat but it still finds its way on to Swiss plates due to mislabelling and the clandestine trade.

‘Läckerli Huus is not for sale’

This content was published on Nov 29, 2025 Since 2007, Miriam Baumann has been at the helm of Läckerli Huus, She tells Swissinfo what makes the Läckerli so unique.

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

After feeding in the Alps all summer, cows are escorted back to their farms.

Facing Trump’s tariffs, Swiss farmers find themselves with too much milk

This content was published on Nov 7, 2025 Swiss dairy farmers produced a bumper harvest of milk, but higher U.S. duties have forced them to consider ways to cut back, including slaughtering cows.

Chocolate bounty: Ghana at war against cocoa smugglers

This content was published on Nov 5, 2025 The Swiss chocolate industry’s main supplier of cocoa beans fights cocoa smuggling with new rewards for informants and support for farmers.

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

This content was published on Oct 17, 2025 In Switzerland farmers are experimenting with new crops that can withstand heat and drought. But the transition has its challenges.

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

This content was published on Sep 26, 2025 Record prices of cocoa beans have boosted the development and adoption of cheaper replacement options that provide the same chocolate taste for less.

The meltdown at Nestlé

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.

What matters most in your choice of meat products and why?

Certain American farming practices are banned in other countries: cattle are treated with growth-promoting hormones, for example. Would this put you off from buying American produce or is price the key factor?

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Sep 16, 2025

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Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

This content was published on Sep 15, 2025 The European Union, which wrangled a much lower US tariff, offered concessions on certain food imports. Is this an option for Switzerland?

Whistleblowing platform led to dismissal of Nestlé CEO

This content was published on Sep 4, 2025 Laurent Freixe was removed from the top job at Nestlé because of an “undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate”. It was the company’s anonymous reporting platform Speak Up that first raised the alarm.

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

This content was published on Sep 3, 2025 Food firms are counting on Gen Z to grow their profits and are exploiting their sweet tooth and penchant for social media trends to boost sales.

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Switzerland’s cows have dodged the global H5N1 bird flu so far. But if it hits dairy herds, the country’s iconic cheeses could be at risk.

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

US consumers will pay price for tariff hike, warns top Swiss trader

This content was published on Jul 26, 2025 Global competition is on the rise and some low value-added activities have already left Switzerland, warns Sébastien Landerretche.

Have you experienced food shortages or food price spikes in your country recently?

The rise in conflicts, unpredictable weather and economic shocks have made food supply chains more vulnerable to disruption.

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Jul 14, 2025

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Does your country have enough food reserves to withstand a crisis?

Journalist Anand Chandrasekhar sitting at a table, holding up a picture of a chocolate bar.

Truth or tale: is Swiss chocolate tainted by child labour?

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 A reader asked if it was true that children are involved in cocoa production for the Swiss chocolate industry. Swissinfo tried to get to the bottom of this complex issue.

How important are common resources in today’s world?

In a globalised world, are collectively-managed land or resources – so-called commons – still relevant?

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Jun 20, 2025

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Elinor Ostrom receives the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

The Swiss mountain village that inspired a Nobel Prize and digital governance

This content was published on Jun 20, 2025 A small Swiss mountain village has become the focus of scientific attention thanks to Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom.

Child labour risks in chocolate supply chains go beyond just cocoa

This content was published on Jun 18, 2025 While cocoa gets the most attention from the chocolate industry when it comes to eliminating child labour, other ingredients like sugar, nuts or vanilla are also high risk.

A limited edition of 500 bars of Lindt's Dubai chocolate went on sale at the Lindt Museum in Kilchberg on November 16, 2024.

Dubai chocolate trend leaves Swiss chocolatiers competing for pistachios

This content was published on Jun 12, 2025 The TikTok-fuelled popularity of Dubai chocolate has prompted Swiss chocolate companies to develop their own versions, spiking demand for pistachios.

Swiss food labels must declare animal suffering from July

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 From July 1, food labels in Switzerland will have to disclose whether products of animal origin involve painful practices. The Swiss federal government has approved a series of ordinances requiring the labelling of meat, eggs and foie gras.

Ukraine’s once pioneering agriculture drone industry is hoping to return to the skies

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 Restrictions due to the war have killed off growth in an industry that is hoping for a renaissance once the fighting is over.

Selling Swiss cheese: ‘The main problem with the US today is uncertainty’

This content was published on May 31, 2025 Planned customs hikes are prompting US importers of Swiss cheese to adopt a wait-and-see approach, says Philippe Bardet.

Swiss court bans animal names for vegan meat substitutes

This content was published on May 5, 2025 Plant-based meat alternatives must no longer use names directly referencing animals, such as ‘vegan chicken’ or ‘vegan pork’.

Agribusiness

More

Sustainable soy: when collaborating to protect the Amazon backfires

More

Sustainable soy: when collaborating to protect the Amazon backfires

More

Governments and industry must work across the cocoa and gold sector to address child labour

More

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates?

More

‘Läckerli Huus is not for sale’

More

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

More

Chocolate bounty: Ghana at war against cocoa smugglers

More

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

More

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

More

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

More

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

More

The meltdown at Nestlé

More

Junk food on trial in the United States – could it happen in Switzerland?

More

New Swiss food regulations for 2026: GMOs, contaminants, pesticides and mushrooms

More

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates?

More

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

More

Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

More

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

More

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

More

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

More

Does your country have enough food reserves to withstand a crisis?

More

Swiss court bans animal names for vegan meat substitutes

More

How regenerative farming and AI can drive sustainable agriculture

More

Governments and industry must work across the cocoa and gold sector to address child labour

More

When Swiss food start-ups fail

More

Nestlé chief blames Trump for company going quiet on sustainability

More

What lies ahead for Switzerland: an economic outlook for 2026

More

Junk food on trial in the United States – could it happen in Switzerland?

More

HUG: ‘We see our strongest growth in foreign markets’

More

New Swiss food regulations for 2026: GMOs, contaminants, pesticides and mushrooms

More

Shark meat sold in Switzerland is contaminated with methylmercury

More

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates?

More

‘Läckerli Huus is not for sale’

More

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

More

Facing Trump’s tariffs, Swiss farmers find themselves with too much milk

More

Chocolate bounty: Ghana at war against cocoa smugglers

More

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

More

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

More

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

More