At the end of last week, the FDSEA of the Manche warned of the "unprecedented crisis" facing the department's vegetable growers. After an already very difficult summer, winter vegetable prices are plummeting and no longer cover production costs.
Leek and cabbage prices plummet
© FDSEA 50
After a disastrous summer for early potatoes, the autumn brought no relief. "The volumes of early potatoes on the market were higher this year, with the addition of stocks of ware potatoes from the previous season. The two offers collided, leading to ridiculous prices and even destruction in the fields," explains Jean-Luc Leblond, producer and chairman of the vegetables section of FDSEA in the Manche.
Now, winter vegetables are suffering. "Leek and cabbage prices have collapsed to the point where they no longer cover production costs." The good weather has led to abundant harvests, while demand remains sluggish. "The political and economic climate has a lot to do with it. Consumers are watching their spending, and the temperatures are not conducive to consumption." As a result, outlets are lacking, unsold goods are piling up, and losses are mounting, according to the union. "There have been losses of cauliflower and, to a lesser extent, green cabbage. For leeks, the summer drought limited supply in September, which helped to rebalance the market. But the return of the rain boosted yields, and today the fields are full again."
More than 3,000 employees "face a dark future"
The situation for producers has become unsustainable, according to the union. "Behind these figures and low prices, the future of our farms has been weakened, our producers are worried, and more than 3,000 employees on our farms and packing stations are facing a bleak future." Production costs (labor and inputs) also continue to rise. "Cash flow is tight, particularly for vegetable growers who have sown large areas with winter crops."
Supermarket shelves under scrutiny
Faced with this situation, the FDSEA of the Manche is sounding the alarm. "Now is not the time for observation, but for action." The union is calling on the government and the inter-professional organizations, in conjunction with the producers' organizations, to rapidly put measures in place to support the sector.
The union, which is still seeing a large number of summer products on the shelves, is not ruling out checking supermarket shelves in the coming weeks. "There are still large quantities of lettuce and tomatoes on the shelves, although we should be seeing mainly winter vegetables at this time of year. If the crisis persists after the festive season, we will have to take a closer look," warns Jean-Luc Leblond. FDSEA of the Manche is also calling on retailers to give priority to French produce. "Still finding Belgian leeks on French supermarket shelves is a disaster."
For more information:
Maison de l'Agriculture
Avenue de Paris, Saint-Lô, France
Phone: +33(0)2 33 06 48 32
[email protected]
fdsea50.fr
