The climatic conditions in Normandy were extreme. "We went from very hot to very cold”, says Patrick Groualle of the Jardins de Normandie. Saturday, April 21st, it was 27 degrees, whereas last Monday the wind chill was -5 and there was even snow. “Thankfully, most vegetables were spared”, Patrick continues. "Normandy production is mainly located in the department of Manche. The snow in the beginning of the week fell in the region of Rouen, where there isn’t too much vegetable production."
Patrick points out that vegetable production still underwent other problems: “Cultivation was delayed due to winter rains until April 15-20. Usually, cultivation starts in early April, but now we’re three weeks behind. This is a problem on a European scale."
"For now, the delay in cultivation is the only thing we’re sure of, because three weeks behind on the start may only mean merely one week behind on arrival. It’ll depend on the weather conditions of spring, on which we can’t release any statements yet. In previous years we could start cultivation a little earlier, but sometimes it would be very cool outside until mid-June."
But the weather in Normandy seems to be improving. "Yesterday already was a very beautiful day, and quite pleasant temperatures have been forecast for up until Friday."
