According to Agreste, the mild weather in March didn’t help French endive producers as the offer ended up higher than the demand. However, unlike lettuce, prices remained above those recorded in March 2016 and above the 2011-2015 average.
Winter endive acreage has decreased by 2% over the year to 1,000 hectares. Frisée (or curly endive) acreage, which represents 56% of acreage, has increased by 6% while escarole acreage sees a 10% decrease.
Winter endive production is estimated to have reached 49 million endive heads, 4% less than the figure recorded last year. Frisée has increased by 3% but doesn’t make up for the 12% decrease in escarole production. Winter harvest for both varieties remains below the five year average.