"French leek production was down at the beginning of autumn. For the 2024-2025 marketing year as a whole, production is expected to be 163,600 tons, which is down by around 12,000 tons compared with last year's high production. In September 2024, prices were 24% higher than in the 2023-2024 season and 14% higher than the 2019-2023 average for the same month," according to Agreste in its economic outlook.
Areas slightly down, and production also down in autumn
The national leek area for the 2024-2025 season is expected to be 5,253 hectares. This is 1% lower than last year, and 5% below the five-year average.
French leek production is forecast at 163,600 tons for 2024-2025. Over one year, this would be 7% lower than the 2023-2024 campaign marked by high production (175,500 tons). The decline would be more limited in the western basin (-1%).
National production is also expected to be below the five-year average, but to a lesser extent (-3%), given the stable production levels seen over five years in the north and the west of France.
Marketing: high prices at the start of the season
Production of early leeks peaked in June. The market was fairly dynamic, despite the unfavourable weather conditions which made harvesting difficult but also stimulated the demand. As a result, prices were firm and significantly higher than the five-year average (+52% in June).
The return of sunnier weather in July weakened the demand and pushed prices down towards the end of the early season. The cooler weather in September and the delay in the start of the winter leek season enabled sales to flow smoothly and prices to strengthen slightly.
Source: Agreste