Seeland: Where the heart of Swiss vegetables grows
Seeland isn't just a postcard between three lakes. It's Switzerland's vegetable garden, the land where the vegetables that end up (almost) all on our plates grow. At UglyFruits, we've chosen to set up our crates and baskets here. Because here, freshness rhymes with proximity, diversity with sustainability, and harvest with next-day delivery. In short, the taste of local, without detours.
Seeland, the country’s vegetable powerhouse
With nearly 14,500 hectares of vegetables cultivated in Switzerland (FSO, 2023), a large portion of which is in the Grand Marais, Seeland is literally Switzerland’s vegetable capital. More than 60 different varieties are grown here, from celery to salads, including cabbages and root vegetables. The value of vegetable production reaches over CHF 750 million per year (FSO, 2023), representing nearly one-fifth of all Swiss plant production. It’s safe to say this region feeds Switzerland… and then some.
An accelerating organic movement
What we like even more is the region’s trajectory: today, 23.5% of vegetable surfaces in Switzerland are cultivated organically (FiBL & Bio Suisse, 2023), and in Seeland, this share is climbing rapidly. In the canton of Fribourg alone, about one-third of vegetables are already produced according to organic standards (Canton of Fribourg, 2022). In Kerzers, Ins, or Morat, we’re seeing collective projects multiply, like Terraviva, which brings together nearly 90 organic producers and manages about 700 hectares (Terraviva, 2023). Among them, pioneers like Christen Bio, a recognized player in Seeland, are leading the way with 100% organic and innovative operations. In short: organic here isn’t a niche, it’s a groundswell.
Complementary farms, stable supplies
In Seeland, farms work hand in hand between open-field crops and greenhouse cultivation — about 460 hectares of vegetable greenhouses at the national level (FiBL & Bio Suisse, 2023). This allows for diversity throughout the year: crispy salads in winter, nourishing roots in autumn, brassicas or cucurbits in summer. For UglyFruits, this means a rich, regular, and above all local assortment.
Why UglyFruits believes in it too
By choosing our suppliers in Seeland, we’re betting on:
- proximity: fewer kilometers traveled, more freshness in your baskets;
- diversity: dozens of varieties, including those that don’t fit the standards of large retailers;
- sustainability: a supply chain that’s investing heavily in organic and agroecology;
- security: a structured and equipped vegetable basin ready to face climate and logistics challenges.
Freshness as a promise
Our commitment doesn’t stop at choosing producers. Our production facility is located just steps away from Seeland, allowing our team to visit suppliers directly every morning. We harvest the fruits and vegetables destined for the baskets, which we prepare the same day so they arrive the next day at our customers’ homes. Result: ultra-fresh products that retain their flavor and qualities longer — and an experience that truly makes a difference.
