The launch of the campaign for the famous Perigord walnut took place on November 7th. It was an opportunity to take stock of the situation both locally and nationally. Fabien Joffre, president of the Professional Union for Perigord walnuts, walnut kernels, and walnut oil, and vice-president of A2NF, also looks back at the challenges and concerns for this season.
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Average production
"This year's walnuts are visually beautiful and good," explains Fabien Joffre. Yields are expected to be average, but the weather conditions in October have ensured a fine harvest. "The nuts ripened after the rains at the end of September, so the quality is very high, which sets us apart from our Chilean, American, and Chinese competitors." The only slight downside is the size of the walnuts. Excessive heat in June limited fruit development, which could have an impact on the selling price.
A few climatic incidents in the designated area
Many producers are happy about this high-quality harvest, but those located in the designated area are facing a different scenario. "The situation is fairly varied, but several farms were hit by hail on June 28th and July 12th. For some, this is the third consecutive year of bad weather," explains Fabien Joffre.
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"Marketers need to take the time to sell this crop"
After four complicated years, farm cash flow has been weakened. Fabien Joffre is therefore calling for caution. "Marketers need to take the time to sell this good quality crop. We need attractive prices to make the most of the harvest, especially as we do not have any stocks, so we will be happy to have some next year. Another concern is that American walnuts, previously taxed at 5%, will now be taxed at 0%. The EU has negotiated with the Americans for a reduction in customs duties on European cars entering the United States. "On a French farm that generates €100,000 million [115,263 million USD] from the walnut sector, with a quota of 500,000 tons of authorized American nuts, this could cost the sector €5 million [5.76 million USD]."
The devil bug: The next scourge of the walnut?
Already a nightmare for hazelnut growers, the devil bug could soon be attacking walnut trees as well. A few cases have already been observed. "We are seeing more and more insects arriving, especially the devil bug. We are even invaded in our homes," explains Fabien Joffre. This concern is heightened by the reduction in the number of plant protection products available in France. "This is yet another penalty for French growers, who are unable to compete on equal terms in a globalized market. We do not want to treat systematically, but we absolutely need a solution in the event of an attack."
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A2NF: A national association to "speak with one voice"
Created last March, the French Walnut Association (A2NF) now brings together producers from the southwest of France (Périgord walnut) and the southeast (Grenoble walnut), representing 73% of the national production. The aim is to structure the sector and raise the profile of French walnuts. A national coordinator will be joining the association at the beginning of December. "The interprofession will be working to establish links and communicate harmoniously between the two production areas, because we need to get people eating walnuts! We have lacked communication over the last 30 years, even though the walnut was one of the most widely planted trees in the world," explains Fabien Joffre. To regain market share, the sector wants to focus on the French origin and the health benefits, targeting the younger generations who are still not big walnut consumers. "It is a very healthy product. A lot of sportsmen and women eat it, including players in the French national team. An advertising campaign is already underway on NRJ Île-de-France and Nostalgie, with a potential audience of around ten million people.
For more information:
Syndicat Professionnel de la noix, du cerneau et de l'huile de Noix du Périgord
Perrical
46600 Creysse
Phone: +33(0)5 65 32 22 22
[email protected]
noixduperigord.com/fr
