According to a recent Agreste publication, leek prices have been good since the start of the season and are above those recorded last year. The warm weather in September effected prices, but they recovered in the autumn. Demand was high and there were less leeks on the market, however consumers did not choose leeks in December. Consequently, the prices fell compared to the two previous month, but remained higher than those recorded in December 2015.
Due to heavy frosts in January which delayed uprooting the leeks, the prices increased, before decreasing again in February. However, since the start of the year they still remain above the prices recored over the previous season.
Over the first 8 months of the season, as a cumulative total, imports increased by 4% and exports plummeted by 23% compared to the same period the year before. The trade deficit therefore reached 53%.
Leek planted acreage over the 2016-2017 season (about 4,890 hectares) has decreased by 2% over the year and 5% compared to the 2011-2015 average. National production estimates reach 160,000 tons, a decreasing figure. National harvest will be 3% below that of last year and 1% below the 5 year average.