Swiss Gruyère hit by US tariffs, cuts output

Swiss Gruyère producers are dealing with a significant drop in demand from the United States after the imposition of U.S. import tariffs. The U.S. market had traditionally accounted for about 13% of Gruyère sales, so the decline has left a substantial gap for producers who depend on exports.

Cheesemakers describe a marked slowdown in orders, with one producer stating that the cheese "isn't actually selling." The loss of this key outlet has become a central challenge for the industry in 2026, particularly for exporters who had built their business models around steady U.S. demand.

To prevent a buildup of unsold cheese and to support price stability, the Gruyère producers' association has introduced a reduction in output of about 5%. This measure is explicitly aimed at avoiding surplus stocks while maintaining a stable market environment for farmers and cheesemakers.

A cheesemaker explained that the production cut is designed "to avoid a stock surplus" and also "helps maintain a stable price." This reflects an effort to manage supply in line with weaker export demand rather than allowing inventories to rise and pressure prices lower.

The output reduction is not applied uniformly across all Gruyère types. For the most heavily exported Gruyères produced at lower altitudes, the roughly 5% cut has been maintained for a second year, highlighting the sustained pressure on export‑oriented segments.

By contrast, alpine Gruyères, including those produced by some cheesemakers quoted in the report, face no production cut for the coming season. This distinction suggests that cheeses less dependent on export markets, or with different demand patterns, are being managed differently within the overall supply strategy.

Market participants describe 2026 as a difficult year for the Gruyère sector, with one trader saying producers were "heavily impacted". The combination of tariffs, lost U.S. sales, and controlled production has created a challenging environment for both farmers and traders.

Producers are working to redirect Gruyère to alternative markets to compensate for reduced U.S. demand. However, replacing a market that previously represented around 13% of sales requires time and effort, so the industry continues to rely on production management as it adjusts to the new trading conditions.