The strawberry season in France is drawing to a close. "We are finishing the harvest of the very last Charlotte before entering the low point of the season, which corresponds to the last two months of the year," explains Emeline Vanespen, director of the Strawberries and Raspberries of France association of producers. Volumes are so small that buyers are easy to find, even at the start of the winter season. "It is a niche market. There is no competition because imported strawberries are not yet available. Strawberries from Morocco will arrive in December. Spain's producers are currently planting and the first Spanish strawberries should arrive on the market in January."
Dreamstime
In the end, the 2024 season was a rather positive one, despite some concerns. "The season went well, with prices remaining firm overall throughout the campaign. There were no major production peaks. Some weeks were more stressful than others, around the 15th of April, for example, when we reached a record weekly volume of Gariguette. But in the end, the demand was good and retailers played along, and we got through June without a crisis. The slight delays in production had no impact on sales, since summer fruits such as melons and stone fruits were also behind schedule."
Despite good consumption levels, strong media and retailer support for French strawberries and good prices, Emeline Vanespen remains moderate. "Remember that producers' earnings depend on three factors: price, yields and costs. Prices have certainly been decent, but yields have not been plentiful and costs have continued to rise." Although it is still too early to make predictions, French strawberry production is set to increase next season. "We already know that some growers are going to increase their production areas, and that others will be planting strawberries for the first time in order to diversify. Even some farmers in the southwest of France who were involved in duck production have decided to switch to strawberries. French strawberry production is set to increase, and we can only hope that prices and consumption levels will remain high next year."
For more information:
Emeline Vanespen
Fraises Framboises de France
[email protected]