In a conjuncture note from April 30th, Agreste indicates that French carrot production for the fresh market should reach 343,100 tons for the 2024-2025 season, a level equivalent to the last campaign, despite the rain and frost in January. Prices, however, are lower than in 2024.
Yields down in the southwest and up in the west
National carrot acreage for the fresh market for the 2024-2025 season is up by 3% from last year, at 10,537 hectares, and 1% higher than the 2019-2023 average, due to an increase in the western basin (+10% from last year). According to forecasts from April 1st, national production will reach 343,100 tons for this campaign, which is equivalent to last year's level. Disparities are expected between regions, however: -4% in the southwest with lower yields, and +10% in the west (increase in surface area).
"January was a particularly difficult month for crops. Heavy rain made farming more difficult (difficult access to plots) and encouraged the outbreak of disease, which affected product quality. The situation improved in February and March, with harvests above the five-year average in the western basin and close to average in the southwest.
Prices lower than last season
"Demand is back to normal after the end-of-year festivities, with winter weather favorable to consumption, and prices have stabilized. Over the January to March period, prices were slightly higher than the five-year average (+3%), but 23% lower than in the previous season.
In cumulative terms, from May 2024 to February 2025, compared to the same period last year, for carrots and turnips, exports (97,300 tons) were up by 65%, while imports (110,000 tons) were up by 4%. The foreign trade deficit in volume terms was reduced by 34,300 tons.
Source: Agreste