"According to forecasts drawn up on January 1st, 2025, French leek production will reach
165,400 tons for the entire 2024-2025 marketing year, which is 10,000 tons less than the previous season. In December 2024, prices were 10% lower than in the 2023-2024 season, but 7% higher than the 2019-2023 average for the same month," according to the Agreste economic outlook.
An annual harvest forecast in line with the five-year average
The French leek area for the 2024-2025 season is forecast at 5,276 hectares, which is 1% less than last year and 5% below the five-year average. Based on forecasts from January 1st, 2025, the national leek production for the 2024-2025 marketing year is expected to be 165,400 tons, which is 6% less than last year and similar to the five-year average. Yields are significantly higher than the five-year average in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Basse-Normandie regions, at around 40 tons per hectare. On the other hand, they are down from last year in the Centre (-13%) and Rhône-Alpes (-10%) regions.
After a cool and rainy September, difficult weather conditions at the start of October led to very high accumulations of water in many basins, with negative consequences on yields. Production volumes returned to more regular levels towards the end of the year.
Moderate demand at the end of the year
In October, production was disrupted by the weather, and prices were 20% higher than the five-year average, and even 37% higher than last year. In November, leek consumption was sluggish, with more volumes available, and prices dropped. Despite the favorable winter conditions, sales remained sluggish in December, and prices continued their seasonal decline.
Source: Agreste
Photo: Dreamstime.com
