Even at Christmas markets: oysters are becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland

The oyster is slowly but surely conquering the Swiss market. The gourmet mussel, previously only found in delicatessen shops, can now even be found at local Christmas markets.

According to figures from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), approximately 551 tons of live oysters were imported into Switzerland in 2022. Compared to 2018, this is an increase of 16 percent. After a decline due to the Covid pandemic, consumption has recovered and sales of the precious mussel amounted to almost 5 million francs in 2022.

However, with 62 grams per capita last year, roughly equivalent to a small oyster, Swiss consumers are still far behind their French neighbors. In France, more than one kilo of oysters is eaten per person per year.

But the trend is increasing: “I am now selling oysters at the Christmas markets for the third year and business is going very well,” says Lionel Billard, who runs an oyster stall at the Geneva Christmas market on the Quai du Mont-Blanc. There is still a lot of resistance among people, for example when it comes to appearance and consistency. “But there is also a lot of curiosity and many are trying oysters for the first time,” says Billard.

There is also increasing demand among retailers: “The trend is increasing, even though comparison has been difficult in recent years due to Corona,” a Migros spokesperson confirms. At Manor the figures are generally stable, but here too there is an increase in sales of oyster specialties in the higher price segment.

Seasonally, it is of course the Christmas period in which the oyster takes center stage. More than half of the production is sold between December and January.

For example, the ‘online farm shop’ Farmy, specialized in sustainable food, now offers a dozen oysters from the French Atlantic coast for home delivery for 30 francs. Farmy was founded in Zurich in 2014 and now also has a location in Lausanne.

Of course, demand within Switzerland still varies widely depending on the region. In western Switzerland, for example, this is much stronger in the Lake Geneva region than in the mountains. The Manor spokeswoman confirmed this. In principle, this statement applies to all seafood.

“In French-speaking Switzerland, our customers like to eat fish and seafood, while in German-speaking Switzerland they prefer fish fillets,” she continues. Coop also notes that seafood consumption is more important in French-speaking Switzerland.

“The closer you get to France, the more diverse the range of fish and seafood is and the higher the turnover,” summarizes the Migros spokesperson. But he also notes that there are now many French people in Zurich. This “undoubtedly” has an impact on the reach.

(saw/sda/awp)