Swiss hay prices have jumped nearly 80% this autumn, forcing farmers to tap into winter reserves and bring their cattle in early
The summer of 2026 was the hottest and driest ever recorded in Switzerland, leaving pastures barren across the country.
One hundred kilos of hay now sells for around CHF 44.-, up from CHF 25.- normally, with some reportedly paying as much as CHF 60.
The shortage has sparked tensions with neighbouring France and Germany, where farmers accuse Switzerland of driving up their prices — and Swiss importers have now turned to Canada, shipping 300 tonnes across the Atlantic in a first for the industry.
In August, Switzerland scrapped import duties on hay to ease supply pressure.
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