Compared with the onion trend, the current shallot trend is very weird, especially for what concerns the produce from France. Onion prices barely cover production costs, while those of shallots have skyrocketed.
Most of the shallots sold in Europe come from France. Diseases, the abundant rainfall that hit the country's main production region (Bretagne) and the fact that there is a lot of waste, despite volumes not being larger than last year, means prices are quite high.
Shallot. (Archive photo)
The price of the French produce was already high at the beginning of the campaign - some report it was 15% above average. So far, quotations have done nothing but increase. The latest data report €1.10/kg, much higher than in the past, when producers complained about the scarce profits.
To understand just how expensive the French shallot is, think that, in the past, the produce was sold at 80/85 eurocents/kg on average.
And it seems as though prices will keep increasing, at least during December, as demand for this niche product peaks during this month.