With around 3,400 tons produced each year in France, the French raspberry sector remains modest compared to its imports, which still cover 85% of consumption. More than 8 out of 10 raspberries still come from abroad (Morocco in winter, Spain in spring, and Portugal in spring and summer). The association of producers Strawberries Raspberries of France, which represents almost 40% of French production, is forecasting an increase of around 4% this year (thanks to more plantings). In an attempt to counter imports, the raspberry sector joined the producers' association two years ago, "an association that is already structured, has a long history, and will enable us to create synergies in the red berry sector." This year, the association also launched a project for consumers to identify raspberries of French origin more easily.
Some producers are banking on relocation
Some growers, like Grégory Rousset, are banking on relocation. Based in the Coteaux du Lyonnais (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), the main production area for raspberries, he has been growing this small fruit since 2006 (as well as cherries) on his 5,000 m² farm, with a harvest of almost 20 tons a year. He has chosen to grow the Lagorai variety for the most part, "a good compromise between taste quality and how the fruit holds when it reaches consumers," according to the association. For Grégory, "producing in France is a daily challenge," but he remains "convinced that consumers want taste, proximity and meaning." He has also opted for soil-less cultivation to adapt to the vagaries of climate and diseases. "I have now harvested one-fourth of my annual crop. We are expecting another peak in August and then in October. This season looks set to be more successful than 2024, despite some quality problems with some plants."
A dynamic raspberry market
Franck Figuet, a grower in Isère (SCEA La Coccinelle) and vice-chairman of the Strawberries Raspberries of France association, takes stock of the market. "At the moment, there are a lot of goods, and the market is quite dynamic. A lot of volumes are arriving from the main production areas, but the difficulty lies in managing these volumes. Because with the intermittent arrivals, volumes vary greatly from one week to another - we have to manage the imports at the client level, because we do not have enough volumes to hold the lines at 100%." On the market, price levels have been "decent. We are currently selling at €1.65/1.75 [1.95/2.06 USD] per 125g tub (or €12 [14.15 USD] per kilo). Given our high production costs in France, we cannot expect prices to fall below €1.50 [1.77 USD]."
The Strawberries Raspberries of France association has 600 producers and 36 members. More than 1,200 tons of raspberries are produced each year, representing almost 40% of French raspberry production.
For more information:
Fraises Framboises de France
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47 931 Agen
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fraisesdefrance.fr