GENEVA: Switzerland’s chocolate consumption dropped to 11 kilograms (24 pounds) per capita last year, down 10 percent from the peak in 2008 as the strong franc spurred Swiss residents to buy products across the border and deterred incoming tourists from spending. While bonbon exports fared better, thanks to subsidies that compensate chocolate makers for Switzerland’s high dairy costs, the World Trade Organization recently demanded a stop to such aid by 2020.
Once those subsidies are cut, raw material costs will balloon as Swiss milk can be three times as expensive as in other countries.
