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Foreign trade figures for 2024

30.01.2025

Chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences as an engine of Swiss foreign trade – optimal framework conditions are essential

The chemical-pharmaceutical industry defied the challenging environment and, with a share of over 52 per cent of Switzerland's total exports, proved to be the backbone of the Swiss economy in 2024. Exports rose slightly to 149.08 billion Swiss francs. More than half of our members‘ exports go to the European Union – scienceindustries is therefore committed to the constructive further development of the Bilateral Agreements III.

‘The chemical-pharmaceutical industry is largely responsible for the export record and is a central guarantor for Switzerland's economic stability,’ says Stephan Mumenthaler, scienceindustries' director. ‘Despite the faltering economy, the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies were able to post a 14.6 per cent increase in exports last year, with an export volume of CHF 149.08 billion.’

This positive development is all the more surprising given the uncertain geopolitical situation, high raw material and energy prices and modest global economic development with lower demand, and is a testament to the industry's great resilience.

EU exports continue to grow – Bilateral Agreements III of central importance

Exports to the EU rose by 14.6 percent year-on-year to CHF 79.1 billion, with the result that the EU remains by far the most important customer region, accounting for over half (53.1 percent) of all exports. North America consolidated its position as the second most important market with CHF 35.7 billion (+9.5 per cent). Asia remained an important target market for the chemical-pharmaceutical industry with around CHF 20 billion, while only recording a slight increase of +1.2 per cent over the previous year.

On the import side, more than three quarters of all chemical-pharmaceutical products come from the EU. This makes the EU not only the most important export market, but also the most important supplier of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products. It is imperative that market access to the European single market be secured through the Bilateral Agreements III in order to guarantee access to our most important trade partner in the long term. The conclusion of negotiations on the further development of the Bilateral Agreements with the EU by the Federal Council represents a decisive step in this direction.

USA strengthens its role as leading export country for our industries

In a country comparison, the USA remains the most important export destination for products from our chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, with CHF 35.7 billion (+11.2 per cent over the previous year), followed by Slovenia with an export volume of CHF 26.2 billion. Germany is now in third place with a volume of CHF 16.6 billion. On the import side, the most important supplier countries for our industries are Slovenia (CHF 17.5 bn), Germany (CHF 13.6 bn), Italy (CHF 9.3 bn) and the USA (CHF 6.1 bn). China (CHF 2.1 bn) is still not among the top 10 supplier countries in 2024, but remains in 11th place.

International trade relations require the freest possible access to foreign markets. scienceindustries is committed to the continuous expansion of the existing network of free trade agreements with comprehensive agreements.

Optimal framework conditions as a success factor for innovation and competitiveness

The majority of exports by scienceindustries member companies are pharmaceutical products, vitamins and diagnostics, which account for 67.3 per cent. Despite a decline of 4.9 per cent compared to the previous year, this sector accounts for a significant 35.5 per cent of Switzerland's total exports, worth CHF 100.3 billion. In order to ensure the competitiveness of the innovative products of our industries in the long term, it is essential that favourable framework conditions are maintained in Switzerland. New bureaucratic shackles resulting from pending legislative projects must be avoided, while locational advantages must be expanded and innovation promoted.

Further figures can be found in our foreign trade statistics.

For further information:

Stephan Mumenthaler, Director
Tel. 044 368 17 20, stephan.mumenthaler@scienceindustries.ch

Erik Jandrasits, Head of Foreign Trade
Tel. 044 368 17 22, erik.jandrasits@scienceindustries.ch


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