2023-06-16 18:25:11
The core is difficult to swallow. The price of cherries this year is experiencing a spectacular increase, even exceeding 20 euros per kilo in certain Parisian markets such as rue de Lévis, in the 17th. And the observation is the same throughout the rest of the territory. On average since the start of sales, around mid-May, the price per kilo of the tray in the supermarket has always exceeded 10 euros, where last year, cherries sold between 7 and 8 euros per kilo.
To explain these rising prices, we must obviously look at the weather. “We were starting with a normal harvest, and the month of May was particularly wet, which the cherry does not appreciate, so that changed everything. The risk of bursting, that is to say when the fruit bursts and is no longer salable, is greater”, explains Bruno Darnaud, president of the Economic Governance of Fruits and Vegetables (GEFeL). The South-East and the very productive Rhône department were particularly affected by very localized storms, which were destructive for the cherry trees.
The margins of targeted resellers
The production volume this year is therefore lower than in previous years. If in mid-June, 50% of the cherry harvest has been carried out, and that production should last until mid-July, “we will be far from the 40,000 annual tons”, warns the president of GEFeL. And who says lower production, says higher prices.
However, the vagaries of the weather are not enough to justify an exploding price per kilo. The context of inflation for producers and the increase in the price of labor also takes its share of responsibility. “For cherries, 70% of the cost of production comes from the cost of labour. As the picking and sorting time is more important because of the capricious weather, the kilo-hour is more important too, ”explains Bruno Darnaud.
Last element to take into account and not the least: the margins of the resellers, in particular on the markets. “When we see 20 euros per kilo, it makes us jump. If the price per kilo at the end of production is higher than usual, it is very far from these levels. We are witnessing excessive margins, as soon as the product is a little rarer than usual, ”laments the president of GEFeL. All you have to do is pay attention to the price on the label or opt for short circuits!
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