According to forecasts drawn up on April 1st, French lettuce production will reach 398.6 million heads for the 2024-2025 marketing year, a drop of 14.6 million heads from last year. On the market, in March 2025, "prices were 69% higher than in 2024 and 51% higher than the 2020-2024 average for the same month, against a backdrop of supply outstripping demand," according to Agreste.
National planted area slightly down
"The national area under lettuce for the 2024-2025 season (May 2024 to April 2025) is expected to be slightly down from last year (-1%), at 6,639 hectares, with a 4% drop in area in the southeastern basin as a result of a reduction in the number of rotations for some small producers in favor of cucumber production. Over one year, production is down by 4% in terms of the number of heads, with a more marked drop for Batavia and other head lettuce."
Marketing: Prices on the rise since January
"The market was more dynamic at the start of 2025 than in December 2024. Volumes are down as a result of farmers opting out of a second rotation, arbitration on inputs in greenhouses (treatments or heating), or weather damage (frosts, strong winds) on open-field areas. Against this backdrop, prices rose to high levels in March (+69% from last year, +51% compared with the five-year average).
In cumulative terms, from May 2024 to February 2025, and compared with the same period last year, exports (26,600 tons) are up by 16%, while imports (85,700 tons) are up by 6%. The result is a foreign trade deficit in volume terms that is up by 2%.
Source: Agreste