"On July 1st 2024, the French melon production was estimated at 280,500 tons for the 2024 season. The weather conditions in the spring (rain, low temperatures, lack of sunshine) were unfavourable for the development of the crop," according to the Agreste economic outlook.
In June 2024, prices were 7% lower than in 2023 and 8% higher than the 2019-2023 average.
Production and acreage: lower yields
"The national melon area for the 2024 campaign is expected to be 12,518 hectares, which is 2% lower than last year and 3% below the 2019-2023 average. The decline, year after year, is largely attributable to a 4% drop in acreage in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, while the decline relative to the five-year average is mainly due to a 15% drop in the Centre-West basin, where acreage was higher before 2022.
The 2024 French melon production is estimated at 280,500 tons, which is 10% lower than in 2023, but slightly higher (+1%) than the five-year average. The gradual drop, which affects the three main production basins, can be explained by a reduction in yields due to the spring weather conditions.
Compared with the 2023 campaign, the 2024 production was significantly lower in the spring and up until mid-July. The weather disrupted pollination, growth and fruit set, and increased disease pressure. As a result, the 2024 campaign was particularly atypical, with the peak of production only occurring after mid-July.
Low demand at the start of the marketing campaign
Despite a reduced national supply at the start of the season, the market was not very active, with consumers showing little interest in the product due to the rainy weather. In June, prices were 7% higher than last year, but 8% higher than the five-year average.
Between January and May 2024, imports (46,600 tons) and exports (9,500 tons, including re-exported melons) were down by 1% and up by 1% respectively compared to the same period last year. Overall, the foreign trade deficit fell by 1% from last year.
Source: Agreste
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