French lettuce production in 2025-2026 is expected to be similar to the previous season. However, prices dropped sharply in November due to limited demand, forcing some operators to stop production.
Areas identical to 2024-2025
"The area under lettuce in France (excluding the French overseas departments and territories) for the 2025-2026 season will be virtually identical to that of the previous season, at 6,978 hectares for all varieties. Over one year, the area under leaf lettuce is expected to be lower in Ile-de-France (-22%) and Pays de la Loire (-18%), while the area under other varieties is expected to double in Pays de la Loire. The latest forecasts put national lettuce production at 425.6 million heads for the 2025-2026 season, a level close to that of 2024-2025 (+1%). However, production of romaine lettuce is expected to increase significantly in the Ile-de-France region, due to the introduction of crop rotation at one of the region's main lettuce producers."
Insufficient demand from October onwards
"From October onwards, production picks up in the South-East, while declining in other areas. The quality of the lettuce was generally good and there were few health problems, but demand was limited. Prices collapsed in November, leading to sales at a loss, large volumes not harvested and destruction. Some growers decided to reduce or even stop production.
Between May and November 2025, exports (13,000 tons) and imports (47,700 tons) were down by 3% and 5% respectively, compared with the same period in the previous lettuce season. The result is a foreign trade deficit in volume terms (-3% year-on-year)."
Source: agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr
