Import with Bio Suisse › About us

Who is Bio Suisse?

Bio Suisse is the umbrella organisation of Swiss Bud farms and is the owner of the registered trademark Bud.

It was established as an umbrella organisation in 1981 and it now represents the interests of approximately 7’560 Bud label agricultural operations and nurseries.  All operations are regularly inspected and certified by independent bodies to ensure compliance with the strict Bio Suisse Standards. Over 1’300 processing and trading companies have signed a licence contract (trademark usage contract) with Bio Suisse.

Bud products guarantee a high production standard and deliver flavour and enjoyment.

The principal missions of Bio Suisse

  • To represent the interests of Swiss organic farmers
  • To open and coordinate the market for Swiss organic farming
  • Marketing and communications
  • To carry out information and public relations campaigns
  • To implement standards: for the purposes of ongoing development and quality assurance

Bio Suisse import policy

Bio Suisse grants permission to use the Bud label on imported products under strict market, technical and ecological conditions.

Principles:

  • In principle, only products which are not produced or not produced in sufficient quantity by Swiss Bud producers may be imported.
     
  • Imports from countries close to Switzerland should be prioritised.
     
  • Compliance with the Bio Suisse Standards
     
  • The import of fresh products from overseas is not permitted (with the exception of products which cannot be cultivated in Europe for reasons relating to the climate).
     
  • Where reasonable and feasible, processing should take place in Switzerland.
     
  • Air transport must not be used.
     
  • Products are subject to strict supply chain inspections (each imported product will be inspected to ensure traceability to the agricultural operation or producer).

After Dr Rudolf Steiner established biodynamic cultivation in 1924, farms applying his methods were established within Switzerland. In the 1940s, Dr Hans Müller developed organic-biological cultivation, anchoring the idea of sustainable farming with closed cycles. The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) was founded in 1974. This institute aimed to scientifically substantiate what pioneers in organic farming had been observing.

The modern era of organic farming was heralded in 1981 by the founding of the Association of Swiss Organic Agriculture Organisations (Bio Suisse). The first common cultivation standards were adopted in 1981 and, at the same time, the trademark for controlled organic cultivation – the Bud – was introduced.

In recent years, the Swiss organic market and Bio Suisse as an organisation have both experienced pleasing developments. At the end of 2022, approximately 17% of all Swiss farming operations and around 90% of all Swiss organic operations had been certified according to Bio Suisse Standards.  The Bud remains a prestigious trademark with a high degree of credibility and significant level of recognition amongst Swiss consumers.

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