The food supply chain describes the different processes from raw material production in agriculture and fishing to processing and from retail to the food on consumers' tables. The statistics contain data on structures, production, retail and consumption as well as on financial aspects. Time series allow the development of important key figures to be shown over several years.
According to the constitution, the Confederation shall ensure the reliable provision of the population with foodstuffs; in light of the growing population this is a demanding task. The consumption per capita – in terms of the energy value of food – is largely stable. But as far as our eating habits are concerned, a clear change can be seen. Milk and meat consumption, for example, has fallen in comparison with the 1980s. Poultry consumption, on the other hand, continues to rise.