Melon prices in France end the 2016 season below the five-year average (6% below 2015 and 8% below the 2011-2015 average). The decrease is due to both cold temperatures over the spring and a lack of sun until the end of June.
Agreste reports: “until the end of July, the harvested volume was in a clear decrease over the year and compared to the five-year average, due to the rainfall in June effecting plant development. In July, weather conditions were more favourable and allowed harvests to continue developing, despite a lack of rain all over France.”
A lack of supply until July allowed for prices to remain above those reported the year before, but then hot weather came along with August, favouring development and maturation of the melons. “The delay in the production peak in many regions led to a increase of the national offer as of the second fortnight in August. Despite a very present demand, prices decelerated and the product was declared to be in an economic crisis in week 34.” Production peak was 2-4 weeks late expect in the South East and the Poitou Charente region. Production was revived in August and September thanks to summer temperatures across the regions.
In September the harvest was slightly more abundant than that of 2015. "This situation led to an immediate strengthening of prices. Melons were again declared to be in an economic crisis in week 36. But the offer had become rarer due to a high demand, and the prices strengthened compared to the previous month but remained 9% below the five-year average and 19% below the prices recorded in September 2015.”
Melon acreage in France was recorded at 13,150 hectares in 2016, 1% below that of 2015 and 6% below the five year average (this includes open air and low-sheltered production).