Anyone who has just read the number 5.51 and is wondering whether the author might have made a mistake is incorrect. This figure can easily be calculated from the olive oil import statistics provided by the Swiss Federal Customs Administration (FCA), which cover the years 2014 to 2018.

This federal statistic shows that virgin (i.e., natural, purely mechanically extracted) olive oil is purchased by Swiss traders at a very low price overall. However, because all figures reported in the Federal Customs Administration's foreign trade statistics refer to the invoiced price of the goods delivered to the Swiss border, which simply means that any transport and insurance costs are included in the stated amount, it can be assumed that the actual purchase price for a liter of olive oil is even somewhat lower.

It seems important to point out once again that the imports of refined olive oils, which are usually inexpensive, were not included in the calculation of CHF 5.51. Furthermore, considering that the vast majority of olive oils sold and consumed in Switzerland are labeled "extra virgin," one might well question the price of some of the olive oils offered.

Now, if you are a valued customer of ours, you might accuse us of ripping you off with outrageously overpriced products, given this average price per liter of imported olive oil that you now know. I would probably think the same at first. But let me reassure you. We don't know of a single product we carry that we have ever purchased at such a low price. No, very good olive oils cost well over €15 per half liter directly from the farm, depending on the region. See for yourself, for example, on the Domaine La Magnanerie website.