SWISSCOFEL

What SWISSCOFEL does

SWISSCOFEL is the Swiss trade association representing the fruit, vegetable, and potato trade, headquartered in Bern. Founded in October 1999 by 46 members and operational since January 1, 2000, the association consolidated what were previously three separate trade bodies — Fruit-Union Suisse, Union Suisse des Légumes, and the Swiss potato commission — into a single national organization operating in German and French. Today it represents approximately 150 active members across wholesale, retail, import, direct-selling, 4th range/convenience, and special crops segments, collectively accounting for an estimated 86% of Switzerland's total commercial volume of fruits, vegetables, and potatoes and approximately CHF 4 billion in annual turnover.

Its core services span import regulation management (biweekly market analysis, tariff quota negotiation with the Federal Office for Agriculture), market intelligence (weekly newsletter, bulletins, import regulation updates), EAN number assignment for the produce sector, professional training and certification (including the biennial 'Branchenspezialist/in Früchte und Gemüse' exam), quality assurance collaboration via SwissGAP and Qualiservice, political advocacy, and networking events. Member-only services are delivered through a portal on Umbraco CMS hosted on Microsoft Azure (Netherlands data center) with Microsoft Active Directory authentication and ClickDimensions CRM for email communications.

The revenue model is predominantly subscription-based: active members pay variable contributions calculated as a permille rate (set by the General Assembly and differentiated for Wholesale, Retail, and Convenience Processors) multiplied by their annual sales turnover, plus a fixed minimum contribution, while passive members and non-profits pay a flat annual fee. Supplementary revenue comes from unit-priced non-member services (CHF 40 per EAN number with volume discounts; CHF 250 per job listing) and training programs. The association is governed by a member-elected Board and managed by Director Andreas Allenspach and a small secretariat of five sector managers.

Name

SWISSCOFEL

Legal name

SWISSCOFEL, Association Suisse du Commerce Fruits, Légumes et Pommes de terre

Website

https://swisscofel.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SWISSCOFEL is the Swiss trade association for the fruit, vegetable, and potato trade, representing approximately 150 members that collectively handle 86% of Switzerland's commercial produce volume and CHF 4 billion in annual turnover, delivering import regulation management, training, and quality assurance services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Trade & Customs / Trade Compliance (BPAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Fresh produce trade association
• Fruit and vegetable industry
• Import regulation management
• Produce trade certification
• EAN code assignment

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Members pay an annual variable contribution calculated as a permille rate (set by the General Assembly) multiplied by the member's annual sales turnover. Active members also pay a fixed minimum contribution. The permille rate is set separately for the groups 'Wholesale', 'Retail', and 'Convenience Processors'. Passive members pay a flat annual fee, with a distinction between regular passive members and non-profit organizations (NGOs, public benefit institutions, authorities).
2. Job Listing Fees (Non-members): Non-member companies pay CHF 250.00 to publish job listings and apprenticeship vacancies, which are displayed for 30 days and published once in the SWISSCOFEL newsletter.
3. EAN Number Fees (Non-members): Non-members pay CHF 40.00 per 13-digit EAN number assigned. Volume discounts apply: 10% discount for orders of 6+ EAN numbers, 20% discount for orders of 10+ EAN numbers. Members receive EAN numbers free of charge. List delivery fees apply based on cost for both members and non-members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SWISSCOFEL is a Swiss trade association representing the fruit, vegetable, and potato trade, providing member services including EAN code assignment, a job and apprenticeship board, weekly industry newsletter, training programs and an industry certification exam, import regulation management, market intelligence, quality standards coordination (SwissGAP), and political advocacy. Members gain access to a member-only area with bulletins, import regulation decisions, and discounted training rates.

Product overview

SWISSCOFEL is a trade association for the Swiss fruits, vegetables, and potato trade. It offers member services including EAN code assignment, a job board, weekly newsletter, document downloads, training courses, and a certification program. The association manages import regulations and provides restricted member-only access to bulletins and regulatory information through a Microsoft-authenticated portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SWISSCOFEL Membership (Active and Passive) Annual membership in the Swiss trade association for fruit, vegetable, and potato trade companies. Active members pay variable dues calculated as a permille rate (set by the General Assembly) applied to annual sales turnover, plus a fixed minimum contribution. Passive members pay a flat annual fee with an NGO discount. Members gain access to the member-only area, weekly newsletter, import regulation participation, training programs at discounted rates, networking events, and free EAN code assignment.
• EAN Number Assignment Service Assignment of 13-digit EAN numbers for unit or piece-level barcoding in the Swiss fruits, vegetables, and potato industry. Members receive EAN numbers free of charge; non-members pay CHF 40.00 per number, with volume discounts of 10% for orders of 6+ numbers and 20% for orders of 10+ numbers. List delivery fees apply based on cost for both members and non-members.
• Job and Apprenticeship Board Job and apprenticeship vacancy posting service for the Swiss fruits, vegetables, and potato sector. Postings are published for 30 days and appear once in the SWISSCOFEL weekly newsletter. Job listings are free for members; non-members pay CHF 250.00 per listing.
• Industry Training and Education Program Training and education services for the Swiss produce trade covering product knowledge, import regulations, HACCP principles, quality standards, and certification exam preparation. Delivered via webinars (Microsoft Teams), in-person courses at member company premises, and self-paced e-learnings. Members receive discounted access to the program.
• Branchenspezialist/in Früchte und Gemüse Certification Industry certification exam for professionals in the Swiss fruits and vegetables trade, offered in German. The exam is held every two years in November/December and includes written and oral components covering product knowledge, procurement, import regulations, and quality assurance.
• Weekly Industry Newsletter Weekly email newsletter providing summarized information from the Swiss fruits, vegetables, and potato sector. Includes news, market data, and industry updates. Members also receive product group-specific information and a dedicated import newsletter, with many articles reserved exclusively for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~86% of Swiss commercial volume of fruits, vegetables, and potatoes handled by members
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bio SuissecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBio Suisse is the umbrella organization of Swiss organic farming. SWISSCOFEL works with Bio Suisse on matters related to organic produce trade and quality standards. Listed as a production organization partner in SWISSCOFEL's network.
• IP SUISSEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIP SUISSE is an organization promoting integrated production in Swiss agriculture. SWISSCOFEL collaborates with IP SUISSE on market and quality matters for produce meeting integrated production standards.
• Fruit-Union Suisse (FUS) / Schweizer Obstverband (SOV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fruit-Union Suisse (now Schweizer Obstverband, SOV) is SWISSCOFEL's primary partner for fruit production. Together they operate product commissions, define quality standards, and set indicative prices in paritarian (joint producer-trader) structures. SWISSCOFEL evolved partly from the former FUS membership of fruit traders.
• Verband Schweizer Gemüseproduzenten (VSGP) / Union Maraîchère Suisse (UMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Vegetable Producers Association (VSGP/UMS) is SWISSCOFEL's main partner for vegetable sector coordination. Both organizations collaborate in product centers and working groups on market regulation, quality norms, prices, and season planning.
• Vereinigung Schweizer Kartoffelproduzenten (VSKP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Potato Producers Association represents potato farmers. Together with SWISSCOFEL, VSKP participates in swisspatat, the interbranch organization for the potato sector, coordinating market organization, quality, and policy.
• swisspatatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerswisspatat is the interbranch organization for the Swiss potato sector, coordinating producers (VSKP), traders (SWISSCOFEL), and processors (SCFA). It manages market organization, variety testing, production and quality, information, and pricing through working groups.
• Swiss Convenience Food Association (SCFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCFA represents manufacturers of convenience products (including processed/canned products beyond 4th range). SWISSCOFEL represents fresh convenience (4th range) producers, while SCFA handles processed convenience. Both collaborate within swisspatat for the potato sector.
• Qualiservice SàrlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualiservice Sàrl in Bern handles quality assurance and quality control implementation for the fresh produce sector. SWISSCOFEL is one of the umbrella organizations behind Qualiservice and collaborates on fruit, vegetable, and potato quality standards.
• SwissGAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwissGAP is the Swiss quality assurance standard accepted by all Swiss retail chains. SWISSCOFEL co-manages SwissGAP together with production organizations. The association was instrumental in simplifying label control procedures and establishing the standard.
• Deutscher Fruchthandelsverband (DFHV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFHV is the German Fruit Trade Association. SWISSCOFEL collaborates with DFHV's 'Frische Seminar' training platform, recommending its course program to members. SWISSCOFEL members attend DFHV's training events.
• EuropatatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropatat is the European Potato Trade Association. SWISSCOFEL is a member and participates in international potato industry discussions, staying informed on European developments.
• Freshfel EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreshfel Europe is the European Fresh Produce Association. SWISSCOFEL maintains membership for international industry intelligence and participation in European fresh produce policy discussions.
• PUSCH / Save Food, Fight WasteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWISSCOFEL actively supports PUSCH's 'Save Food, Fight Waste' campaign as part of its food waste reduction commitment. The association also participates in Circunis and United Against Waste initiatives.
• Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW/OFAG)coreOthersThe Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture issues import permits (PGI), manages tariff quotas, and sets agricultural policy. SWISSCOFEL submits joint import requests through the 'CI Importation et Exportation' and participates in consultation procedures.
• Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG/OFDF)coreOthersBAZG manages customs tariff numbers, customs duties, and trade statistics (Swiss-Impex database). SWISSCOFEL directs members to BAZG for tariff information and import/export procedures.
• AgroscopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgroscope is the Swiss federal agricultural research institute. SWISSCOFEL collaborates with Agroscope on sustainability, food safety, and agricultural research topics relevant to the produce sector.
• FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiBL is a leading research institute for organic agriculture. SWISSCOFEL engages with FiBL on sustainability and organic production topics within the produce sector.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Produce Marketing Association (PMA): Global trade association for the fresh produce and floral industry. Operates at a much broader international scale than SWISSCOFEL but serves the same constituency of growers, packers, importers, and retailers, making it the closest large incumbent peer in mission and member profile.
• Freshfel Europe: European Fresh Produce Association representing the sector at EU level. SWISSCOFEL maintains membership in Freshfel for international policy intelligence and EU-level coordination, making it the closest supranational peer in the same trade-association category.
• United Fresh Produce Association: US-based trade association serving the fresh produce industry across the supply chain. Comparable to SWISSCOFEL in membership-based trade representation and policy advocacy, though operating at national scale in a much larger market.

Others

• Verband Schweizer Gemüseproduzenten (VSGP) / Union Maraîchère Suisse (UMS): Swiss vegetable producers' association — SWISSCOFEL's main partner for vegetable-sector coordination. Both collaborate in product centers and working groups, complementing SWISSCOFEL's trade mandate with the production side.
• Schweizer Obstverband (SOV) / Fruit-Union Suisse (FUS): Swiss fruit producers' organization and SWISSCOFEL's primary partner for the fruit production side. Both operate paritarian (joint producer-trader) structures for prices and quality. They sit on the opposite side of the value chain (production vs. trade) but are jointly responsible for sector governance.
• swisspatat: Interbranch organization for the Swiss potato sector, coordinating producers (VSKP), traders (SWISSCOFEL), and processors (SCFA). swisspatat is the structural counterpart to SWISSCOFEL's potato group (GPP), jointly managing market organization, variety testing, and pricing.

Direct peers

• Europatat: European Potato Trade Association. SWISSCOFEL is a member of Europatat for international potato-sector coordination, mirroring the structure of a national trade association engaging at the European interbranch level — directly comparable in mandate and stakeholder base.
• Deutscher Fruchthandelsverband (DFHV): German Fruit Trade Association — the direct national trade-association peer for the German-speaking fresh produce trade. SWISSCOFEL partners with DFHV on training (Frische Seminar) and member events, operating an analogous mandate for German fruit and vegetable traders.

Regional players

• Comité National Interprofessionnel de la Pomme de Terre (CNIPT): French interbranch organization for the potato sector. Closely comparable to swisspatat (and thus to SWISSCOFEL's potato group) in mandate, structure, and member profile — a regional peer with an analogous interbranch model in a neighbouring market.
• World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA): International trade association representing apple and pear producers and traders globally. Comparable to SWISSCOFEL's fruit product group (GPF) at an international level, focused on a narrower produce segment but structurally analogous in member services and market information.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swisscofel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 SWISSCOFEL