In 2016, Switzerland still had 52,263 farms, which is 1.9% or 990 farms less than in 2015, according to the Federal Statistical Office in a recent media release. Conversely, the number of farms with more than 30 hectares increased by 1.9%, the number of micro-farms by 2.9%, putting the country’s agricultural area at a stable 1.05 million hectares.

Upon request, the Office for Agriculture and Rural Development Nature (LANAT) has confirmed that in the administrative district Obersimmental-Saanen, the number of farms between 2013 and 2016 that went out of business is 31. The suggested reason for the decline is a change in age and structure.

"Lots of farmers are older, and after retirement there are no successors,” states LANAT.

Others add that farmers are subject to challenging regulations; Some farmers also close their farms because of the large investments needed to keep up to date on animal welfare laws.