The surface area for leeks for the 2025-2026 marketing year is set to remain stable. French production is expected to reach 152,100 tons, which is 12,000 tons less than last year. "In September 2025, prices were 6% lower than in the 2024-2025 season, but 2% higher than the average price for 2020-2024 over the same month," according to the Agreste economic outlook.
A harvest affected by pest pressure
The national leek area for the 2025-2026 season is forecast at 5,416 hectares, stable over one year and 1% below the five-year average. National production (based on forecasts on October 1st, 2025) is estimated at 152,100 tons for the 2025-2026 season, which is 7% less than last year and 8% lower than the average for the last 5 years. This decrease is due to pressure from pests.
"In the northern basin, the drought in the spring and summer had a major impact on yields at the start of the season, with small sizes in crops with little or no irrigation. In the Northern Basin, dry, hot weather conditions have also been favorable to a significant increase in thrips (insect) attacks, which could have a further impact on yields in the future, to be confirmed in the light of developments in pest pressure."
Prices below the five-year average at the start of the season
"In June, supply was ample, but demand was sluggish due to the summer weather. Prices dropped below the five-year average (-6%) and were well below the prices of June 2024 (-34%). During the summer, demand remained limited, with some destruction in the fields and producer prices remaining rather low. In September, the leek market regained strength, supported by the reopening of local authorities and more favorable weather for consumption. Prices are close to those seen in previous years for the same period.
"For leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, exports (3,800 tons) and imports (4,300 tons) were down by 3% and 11% respectively between May and August 2025, compared with the same period last year. The foreign trade deficit in volume terms (500 tons) was down by 47% from last year during the period under review."
Source: Agreste
