Demand for winter vegetables shorter due to mild autumn and early spring in France

The 2014/2015 winter vegetable season in France moderately decreased compared to last year for all types of vegetables. However, the decrease in harvest was bigger compared to the 2009/2013 average for cauliflowers, chicory and salads whilst carrot and leek production was close to the 5 year average. 

The weather effected the 2014/2015 season, especially as the majority of vegetables are produced between October and April. The mild autumn meant that the demand for 2014 summer vegetables went on for longer. The early spring meant that there was a premature demand for the first 2015 summer vegetables, 2014/2015 is comparable to 2013/2014 with temperatures higher than normal and demand for summer vegetables overlapping into the autumn and starting in spring.

The 2014/2015 (June 2014-May 2015) cauliflower season saw a 9% decrease compared to last year and a 13% decrease compared to the 2009-2013 average. Acreage has decreased by 19% compared to the 2009-2013 average and yield has plummeted over the last year. This decrease continues the downward trend already recorded over the last two seasons.

Production in the North and South decreased and production is mainly in the West between Lower Normandy and Brittany, which together represent 93% of volume, of which 87% is from Brittany (increasing since 2009).

Cauliflower and broccoli (grouped together by customs services) exports between 2009-2013 reached over 90,000 tons on average whilst imports over the same period reached only 30,000 tons on average. Imports this season are 4% lower than last year and 6% below the 2009-2013 average. Exports saw a 5% decrease compared to last year and 20% compared to the 2009-2013 average.

The turnover index since the start of the season decreased by 7% compared to last year and 22% compared to the 2009-2013 average.

Chicory production clearly decreased over the 2014/2015 season, by 8% compared to last year and 15% compared to the 2009-2013 average. A decrease in roots from the previous season used for forcing is reflected in a decrease in acreage, -27% in a year and -35% compared to the 2009-2013 average. Alongside cauliflowers, this is one of the rare vegetables whose external trade is higher than import. Exports this year were only 1% below the 2013/2014 average, with 11,500 tons on average recorded for each season between 2009-2013. Prices were 5% higher than last year and 1% below the 2009-2013 average.

Leeks

Acreage was stable over the year, despite a slight decrease compared to the 2009-2013 average. Harvest is similar to the 2009-2013 average and the 2013-2014 season. There was not much crop loss thanks to good weather conditions and not many damage from pests. No frost meant that harvest was carried out under good conditions. Imports decreased by a quarter compared to last year and the 2009-2013 average whilst imports increased by 30% over the year. The foreign trade deficit has decreased compared to the 2009-2013 average. Prices were lower than the 2009-2013 average throughout the season, though closer to last years prices as of July. Turnover at the end of April shows a 0.5% decrease compared to last year and a 16% decrease compared to the 2009-2013 average.

A limited reduction in carrot acreage and production was recorded this season compared to last season and the 2009-2013 average. A 17% decrease over the first semester was recorded, but an 11% increase in harvest was recorded over the second semester. Overall, during the 2014/2015 season, a 4% decrease was recorded compared to last year and 9% compared to the 2009-2013 average.

The gap in carrot and turnip external trade deficit is greatly increasing compared to the 2009-2013 average, and more modestly so compared to last season. Imports have slightly increased compared to the 2009-2013 average and moderately so compared to last year, whilst exports have decreased by 12% compared to these two periods.

Turnover index for the season was effected by decrease in quantity and particularly low prices over the year between May and December, and see a 13% decrease compared to last season and a 4% decrease compared to the 2009-2013 average. 

Lettuce has seen a decrease in acreage and harvest over the last few seasons. Acreage decreased by 4% in a year in 2014/2015 and 9% compared to the 2009-2013 average. Harvest plummeted by 9% compared to 2013/2014 and 11% compared to the 5 year average. Harvest was stable every month, but always lower than previous years.

Foreign trade deficit was higher every month than the 2009-2013 average. In 2015 a slight decrease in production favoured an increase in imports, mainly from Spain. The increase in prices over the year does not make up for the decrease in production and the turnover index this season is 1% below that of last season and 6% below the 2009-2013 average.