IP-SUISSE

What IP-SUISSE does

IP-SUISSE (Vereinigung integriert produzierender Bauern und Bäuerinnen IP-SUISSE) is a Swiss agricultural association founded in 1989 and headquartered in Zollikofen, with regional offices in Moudon (Romandie) and Ticino. The organization represents approximately 18,000 member farms, of which around 10,000 actively produce food under the Marienkäfer (ladybug) quality label on family farms across Switzerland. Its core offering is a six-principle sustainability framework — biodiversity, climate and resource protection, animal welfare, natural crop production, fairness, and 100% Swiss origin — covering grains, rapeseed oil, meat (beef, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit), dairy (Wiesenmilch), vegetables, potatoes, sugar, quinoa, fruits, and wine.

The technical backbone combines farm-level climate measurement (Climafarm, developed with Agroscope since 2021 and adopted by 10,000+ farms, delivering SBTi-compliant CO2 accounting and a 225,000 t CO2-equivalent reduction since 2016) with a biodiversity point and indicator-species system validated since 2008 by FiBL and the Swiss Ornithological Institute. Digital producer services include SmartFarm, SmartCow, the IPS App Feldkalender, Suisse-Bilanz, and IPSipedia, with integrations into the Agate and Sheep Online livestock systems. Label products are also marketed under retailer-specific sub-brands such as Swiss Black Angus, Pure Simmental, Weidebeef, and Wiesenschwein.

IP-SUISSE monetizes through certification fees paid by member producers, retail premiums for labeled products (the ladybug label and partner private labels including Naturafarm at Coop and AGRI NATURA at Volg), and subscription/fees for digital producer services. Distribution flows through Migros (including AdR across nine regional cooperatives), Coop, Denner (10-year partnership since 2016), Volg, and Manor, plus gas stations, market stalls, bakeries, butcher shops, and farm shops accessible via the Hofsuche tool. The organization employs approximately 25 staff, led by President Andreas Stalder and CEO Christophe Eggenschwiler, with Vice President Hanspeter Brunner.

Name

IP-SUISSE

Legal name

Vereinigung integriert produzierender Bauern und Bäuerinnen IP-SUISSE

Website

https://ipsuisse.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IP-SUISSE is a Swiss farmers' association certifying about 10,000 family farms under the Marienkäfer (ladybug) sustainability label across grains, dairy, meat, and produce, distributing through Migros, Coop, Denner, Volg, and Manor in Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Certification

NAICS

Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers (4245), Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers (4251)

SIC

Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Pest Management (Biological Controls, Monitoring, Reduced Pesticides) (AFAGAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Natural, Organic & Health Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAK), Traceability & Chain-of-Custody Certification (Mass Balance, Segregation, Identity Preserved) (AFALAMAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture
• Agricultural certification
• Farm label program
• Biodiversity farming
• Swiss agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Zollikofen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Label Certification and Product Sales: IP-SUISSE generates value by certifying farmers who meet its sustainability standards. Certified producers supply labeled products to Swiss retailers (Migros, Coop, Denner, Volg, Manor) who sell under both the IP-SUISSE ladybug label and their own private labels (e.g., Naturafarm at Coop, AGRI NATURA at Volg). The organization collects certification fees from producers and receives premiums from retail partners for labeled products, with fair pricing structures that compensate farmers for environmental and animal welfare performance.
2. Farm Support Services: IP-SUISSE provides paid digital services to member producers, including SmartFarm, SmartCow, the IPS App Feldkalender, and Suisse-Bilanz, which generate subscription or service fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IP-SUISSE is a Swiss farmers' association that certifies member farms and licenses the Marienkäfer (Ladybug) quality label for sustainably produced Swiss agricultural products. Approximately 18,000 member farms (around 10,000 active producers) follow six sustainability principles covering biodiversity, climate/resource protection, animal welfare, natural crop cultivation, fairness, and 100% Swiss origin, with labeled products distributed through major Swiss retailers.

Product overview

IP-SUISSE (Verein integriert produzierender Bauern und Bäuerinnen) is a Swiss farmers' association founded over 30 years ago, operating approximately 18,000 member farms with around 10,000 producing food products under the IP-SUISSE label. The core offering is the Marienkäfer (ladybug) label for sustainable Swiss agricultural products spanning grains, rapeseed oil, meat (beef, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit), dairy (Wiesenmilch/meadow milk), vegetables, potatoes, sugar beets, quinoa, fruits, and wine. The portfolio includes branded meat programs (Swiss Black Angus, Pure Simmental, Weidebeef, Wiesenschwein) and is supported by digital services including smartfarm, IPS App Feldkalender, Suisse-Bilanz, SmartCow, IPSipedia, Climafarm, and Hofsuche. Products are distributed through major Swiss retailers (Migros, Coop, Denner, Volg, Manor) and farm-direct channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IP-SUISSE Marienkäfer (Ladybug Label): The ladybug is IP-SUISSE's own label mark, representing the organization's commitment to integrated production and sustainability.
• Swiss Black Angus
• Wiesenmilch (Meadow Milk)
• Wiesenschwein (Meadow Pig)
• Pure Simmental
• Bankvieh
• Weidebeef

Products and services

• IP-SUISSE Ladybug Label (Marienkäfer) Certification
• Wiesenmilch (Meadow Milk) Certification
• Swiss Black Angus Premium Beef Program
• Weidebeef Certification
• Pure Simmental Certification
• Wiesenschwein (Meadow Pork) Program
• Climafarm Climate Measurement System
• Hofsuche (Farm Search)

Quantifiable outcome

• 225,000 t CO₂ equivalents reduced since 2016, surpassing the 2023 reduction target of 197,000 t
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bio SuissecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024IP-SUISSE and Bio Suisse are jointly developing the existing climate system (Climafarm) further into a measure-based climate system for Swiss agriculture. The collaboration aims to create an SBTi-compliant, practical, and scientifically grounded system that enables farmers to demonstrate climate protection performance, gives consumers transparent climate impact information, and provides retailers with credible emissions factors for selected products.
• AgroscopecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Agroscope is IP-SUISSE's primary scientific research partner. Joint initiatives include: (1) the Climafarm climate measurement system for farm-level emissions tracking, calculating CO₂ savings using SBTi-compliant methodology; (2) the joint development of a measure-based climate system with Bio Suisse for Swiss agriculture; (3) biodiversity research validating the IP-SUISSE point and indicator species system through multi-year studies. Agroscope provides the scientific foundation for IP-SUISSE's sustainability claims and emissions factors.
• Swiss Ornithological Institute (Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008The Swiss Ornithological Institute is a long-standing scientific partner, collaborating since 2008 on IP-SUISSE's biodiversity point and indicator species system. It was specifically cited in the Migros Förderpreis award in 2026 for supporting IP-SUISSE's biodiversity and climate protection work. The institute provides scientific validation of biodiversity measures on IP-SUISSE farms through species monitoring.
• Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008FiBL conducted multi-year scientific studies validating IP-SUISSE's biodiversity point and indicator species system. The research encompassed species monitoring of animals and plants, farm-level economic analysis, and assessment of farmer acceptance of biodiversity measures.
• BienenSchweiz (Swiss Beekeeping Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBienenSchweiz advises IP-SUISSE member farms on promoting wild bee populations, including on the farm of Nadine Thalmann (featured in biodiversity campaign). The association provides expertise on creating bee-friendly habitats and validating the pollinator impact of IP-SUISSE biodiversity measures.
• Bäckerei HIESTANDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTo celebrate their 30-year partnership, IP-SUISSE and Bäckerei HIESTAND collaborated on hedgerow planting events on IP-SUISSE farms across Switzerland, with Bienen Schweiz providing technical guidance. HIESTAND provided refreshments and snacks for volunteer planting days. The partnership combines sustainability messaging with community engagement and media coverage.
• Silvestri AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilvestri AG produces Silvestri Freilandschweine (free-range pigs) in partnership with IP-SUISSE, sourcing from farms that meet IP-SUISSE guidelines. The company actively recruits new free-range pig producers in the North-West region of Switzerland.
• Schwinger Athletes (Armon Orlik, Curdin Orlik, Michael Ledermann, Romain Collaud)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIP-SUISSE sponsors four Swiss Schwinger (wrestling) athletes as brand ambassadors. These athletes, rooted in Swiss agriculture, represent IP-SUISSE's values of sustainability, fairness, and tradition. The partnership includes four humorous advertising spots and direct sponsorship, reinforcing IP-SUISSE's brand identity among Swiss consumers through sports marketing.
• DennercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDenner has been a retail distribution partner for IP-SUISSE products for 10 years (since approximately 2016). The partnership involves Denner carrying IP-SUISSE-labeled products and includes joint charitable initiatives such as donating 100,000 products worth CHF 150,000 to Tischlein deck dich to support people in need in Switzerland.
• H.R. Kyburz Vieh + Fleisch AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorH.R. Kyburz Vieh + Fleisch AG handles the integration and distribution of Swiss rabbits from approximately 30 IP-SUISSE farms, with approximately 60,000 labeled rabbits marketed annually. The company is actively seeking new farms interested in rabbit husbandry under IP-SUISSE guidelines.
• Migros-Genossenschafts-BundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMigros is the largest retail distribution partner for IP-SUISSE products. Products are sold under the IP-SUISSE ladybug label and within Migros's AdR (Aus der Region – für die Region) regional sourcing program, covering nine regional cooperatives (Neuchâtel/Fribourg, Aare, Basel, Genf, Luzern, Ostschweiz, Waadt, Wallis, Zürich). Migros's regional AdR territories are documented in official procurement region maps.
• Swiss Black Angus Partners (Lucarna-Macana, Swiss Angus, ASF Surcee)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIP-SUISSE partners with Lucarna-Macana (Hinwil), Swiss Angus, and ASF Surcee for the Swiss Black Angus premium label program. Animals must have a minimum of 75% Angus blood content. The meat is marketed for gastronomy and retail, characterized by marbling, tenderness, and superior flavor.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Swissmilk: Swiss dairy industry umbrella for milk producers. Comparable to IP-SUISSE in serving as a producer-facing brand and sustainability marker for Swiss milk (IP-SUISSE's Wiesenmilch sits within this broader Swiss-dairy ecosystem).
• Schweizer Bauernverband (Swiss Farmers' Union): Largest Swiss farmers' association and political lobby. Broad incumbent that overlaps with IP-SUISSE in representing Swiss family farms and shaping agricultural policy, though SBV is a general advocacy body rather than a sustainability label.
• Proviande: Swiss meat industry umbrella organization. Broad incumbent in Swiss livestock; comparable in representing producers but operates as a sector-wide industry body rather than a consumer label, parallel to IP-SUISSE's bankvieh/Weidebeef programs.

Direct peers

• Demeter Schweiz: Swiss biodynamic agriculture label. Direct peer in the Swiss premium sustainability-label space, competing for the same retailer shelf space and consumer sustainability premium as IP-SUISSE.
• Bio Suisse: Switzerland's leading organic farming label and farmers' association. Direct peer as a Swiss agricultural sustainability label with similar producer-certification and consumer-goods distribution model, including the recent 2024 joint climate-system collaboration with IP-SUISSE.
• KAG Freiland: Swiss animal-welfare label for pasture-raised livestock. Direct peer focused on a subset of IP-SUISSE's animal-welfare programs (Wiesenmilch, Wiesenschwein, Weidebeef) with overlapping producer and retailer relationships.

Regional players

• Naturland: German organic farmers' association. Regional peer in the European sustainable-label space — same producer-certification and label-licensing model, but operating primarily in Germany rather than Switzerland.

Emerging players

• Rainforest Alliance: International sustainability certification body. Comparable as a globally recognized sustainability label and certification provider, though focused on tropical commodities rather than Swiss domestic agriculture.
• Fairtrade International / Max Havelaar: International fair-trade certification organization with a Swiss presence (Max Havelaar Foundation). Comparable as a sustainability/fairness label that competes for the same Swiss consumer sustainability premium, though focused on developing-country supply chains.

Others

• Agroscope: Swiss federal agricultural research institute. Strategic partner to IP-SUISSE on Climafarm and biodiversity validation; an enabling/ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, providing the scientific backbone for IP-SUISSE's sustainability claims.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ipsuisse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9L9i8fc5Ut_57iA0Yfs0ZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ipsuisse
• Instagraminstagram.com/ipsuisse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ip-suisse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IP-SUISSE