Alpine cheesemakers in Switzerland’s Gruyere region are cutting production and hunting for new markets after US tariffs rising to 12.5% this year caused demand to plunge in what had been one of their most important export destinations, accounting for 13% of all Gruyere sales.
“The cheese isn’t actually selling, and the measure is there to avoid a stock surplus. It also helps maintain a stable price,” said cheesemaker Alexandre Murith, who tends cows grazing on mountain pastures outside the village of Moleson-sur-Gruyeres every summer, Reuters reported.
The Interprofession du Gruyere producers’ association reduced output by 5% to protect prices, the second consecutive year of cuts. For lower-altitude producers the reduction continues, but for alpine cheesemakers like Murith there is no production cut this coming season, making their position more exposed.
Cheese trader Anthony Margot, who ages thousands of wheels at a time in his cellar, said producers were heavily impacted in 2026 and that replacing the US market would take significant time and investment.
Gruyere sees 40% of its production exported, with roughly a third previously destined for the United States. Producers are now targeting Europe, Asia and the Middle East to compensate.
