The summer fruit and vegetable season looks to be exceptional. ''The spring, which was mild and without frost, allowed for good flowering. The sun means that fruit is very sweet,'' explains Anne-Cécile Delavallade, Head of research at Interfel. This season is nothing like 2013 which was the worst for a decade due to a cold and rainy spring.
French cherry production (end of May- mid July) has increased 33% compared to 2013, and apricots 26%. Melons from the South West, and soon the Centre West, are selling at less that €2 a piece, apricots from the Roussillon or Provence less than €4/kilo and tomatoes €1.70/kilo.
Peach production in the Roussillon has grown 12% compared to 2013. There is also a strawberry come-back following ''a first peak during the Spring'' explains Ann-Cécile Devallade. Quality is good but prices are higher than those imported from Spain.
The only negativity was rail strikes that stopped certain products circulating, the FNPF (National Federation of Fruit Producers) condemned the strike.
