Organic berries: Interest group in Vaud

The supply of organic berries cannot meet the market demand. Following a survey of producers on the agronomic and economic feasibility of organic berry production in the French-speaking part Switzerland, the Department Suisse Romande formed an interest group of organic and conventional producers in the canton of Vaud.

Organic berries are in demand, but there are some agronomic barriers such as weed management, pests and diseases. Economic limits were also pointed out (infrastructure costs, labour costs and management, added value in the production, etc.)

Some conventional producers are considering conversion to organic or want to limit residues on their fruit. They are currently confronted with the risks associated with the use of plant protection products, the withdrawal of certain substances from the market and emerging resistance.

The main objectives of the project are:

• Improving the management of the main issues identified,
• Creating a network for the exchange of knowledge and practices between organic and conventional small fruit producers,
• Intensifying FiBL's communications and training activities in berry cultivation.

• Direction générale de l’agriculture, de la viticulture et des affaires vétérinaires (DGAV)

• Further programmes

• Union Fruitière Lémanique (UFL)

• Araldi Flore (Department Suisse Romande)

• Sonnard Robin (Department Suisse Romande)

FiBL leads the various activities of the interest group.

• Department Suisse Romande (FiBL Switzerland)
• Fruit production (Department of Crop Sciences, FiBL Switzerland)