The carrot market - France

The carrot is a member of the root vegetable family, and the most widely grown vegetable in this category after the potato. Carrots require deep, fertile, light soil, free of stones, gravel and clods. The climate must be cool (between 16° and 21°), and well-distributed irrigation ensures optimal growth. Annual carrot production is estimated at 35.5 million tonnes, and the world's biggest producers are, in order: China by far, followed by Russia and the USA. Carrots are mainly distributed either on the fresh market or in production for industry. Market leader Vilmorin&Cie has been growing steadily since 2019, with sales set to increase by +7.5% between 2021 and 2022. The Covid-19 crisis has also significantly disrupted trade, with the population visiting retail outlets less frequently. In France, carrot production amounts to 530,000 tonnes, and this quantity is growing. France ranks 5th in Europe for total carrot production : national carrot acreage is on the rise, and yields are at a good level, but demand is not as strong as supply. While volumes marketed in 2021-2022 have increased, prices have fallen sharply in the South-West, Normandy and North zones, leading to economic results that are well down on the 2020 campaign. In 2021, thanks to overall investment in the sector and larger areas allocated to carrot cultivation, production increased by 34% compared to 2020.