"As of May 1st, 2024, the French carrot production for the fresh market is estimated at 333,600 tons for the 2023-2024 campaign, which is 1% more than in 2023 but down 2% from the 2018-2022 average. The 2023-2024 campaign was disrupted by heavy rainfall last winter. In April 2024, prices were 6% lower than in the 2022-2023 campaign, but 35% higher than the 2018-2022 average," according to the Agreste conjuncture note.
Harvest similar to previous campaign
"The surface area planted with carrots in France for the fresh market for the 2023-2024 season is estimated at 9,998 hectares, which is slightly higher (+1%) than the previous season. The French production is expected to increase by 1% to 333,600 tons for the 2023-2024 season. In the southwest of France, particularly unfavorable weather conditions since autumn, with heavy rainfall and mild temperatures favoring the development of fungi in crops, have weighed heavily on the production of carrots for storage, with losses estimated at 20% to 30%. On the other hand, early carrot yields were good at the start of the season. In the western basin, the heavy rainfall made it difficult to access the plots during the winter, leading to increased work on site, damaged produce and losses in the field. Thanks to the good months before winter, however, the impact on the annual production was actually limited."
High prices due to limited offer
"In January and February 2024, tight supplies induced by heavy rainfall contributed to higher prices, with prices above those of the previous season and the five-year average. In March, despite some quality and size problems, carrot prices continued to rise with the decline of the French supply and an earlier end of the season in the southwest of the country. Prices in March 2024 were 10% higher than in March 2023, and 43% higher than the 2018-2022 average. In April 2024, given the drop in supply, carrot prices remained at a high level, 6% lower than in April 2023 but 35% higher than the five-year average.
French carrot exports (62,250 tons) went up 64% from May 2023 to March 2024, thanks to the strong increase in trade in the first part of the campaign. Imports (118,530 tons) are 4% lower than the previous year over the same period. Overall, the deficit in foreign trade volumes of carrots is down sharply (-34% from the previous year)."
Source: Agreste
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