According to Agreste, the French strawberry harvest will have decreased by 2% this year, but increased by 3% compared to the 2012-2016 average. Harvest is expected to reach 59,300 tons this season (lower than the 61,600 tons originally expected due to strong changes in temperature over April and May). According to the Minister of Agriculture, frost delayed production whilst the heat fragilised the fruit.
Acreage sees a slight 1% decrease over the year, reaching 3,770 hectares, but is still 12% above the 2012-2016 average.
The season began in March with prices 3% below the 2012-2016 average. Prices are 3% below the levels recorded in 2016 over the same month.