The saying “lightning never strikes twice” is one which growers and suppliers of French carrots would like to be true. However, it appears for the second year in a row that carrots are likely to face a rough time.

Last year was a difficult one for French carrots and disappointing following a successful 2001. A good growing season produced a record crop and forced prices to an all-time low, causing French carrots to be somewhat overlooked. With both growers and suppliers crossing their fingers for an improved season in 2003, it looks as if the gods are not going to be smiling too kindly on a good year for French carrots.

It was reported in the Journal last month that the French carrot season was likely to be off to a difficult start due to a plentiful supply of old season Scottish carrots still available on the market. And along with availability comes the problem that they are cheap. These reports now look likely to be true and could cause all sort of difficulties along with other worrying factors, which are now entering the field of play.

Simon Lane of Fruco believes that this season is going to be tough and could prove even more difficult than last year. “All of the foreign growers are facing problems. Whether it is France, Italy, Spain or Portugal. Right now the market is flooded with UK carrots,” he says.

Michael Mohan of Moorhouse and Mohan Ltd is equally concerned. He says: “The price of new French carrots has started very low indeed and this is worrying. In the short-term French carrots have to compete with Spanish and Italian product.” It would seem there will be quite a battle ahead.

A strong UK market is also causing concern to suppliers and growers. Albert Outmezguine of Greencell believes French carrots are facing an uphill struggle. “The strength of the UK market and the abundance of UK carrots is making things very difficult,” he says.

David Formosa of Formosa Monro thinks this is not the year for French carrots. “This year doesn't look like it will be any better than 2002. We took them last year and it wasn't good as it cost us, so this year we have decided against taking any,” he explains.

One of the problems facing French carrots is the window of opportunity is getting smaller. The season generally runs from mid-May to mid-June and there could be dark times ahead. Outmezguine says: “The space for importing French carrots is getting narrower all the time. With UK carrots lasting longer there is a much smaller period available.”

Formosa agrees with this. “The Scottish season has carried on later and with the season for English carrots not too far away, there is now a very small window of opportunity for French carrots.”

However, there are feelings that it may still be too early to make rash predictions. It will be tough but with a bit of luck things may swing in favour of the French crop. Mohan believes there could be a different story in the long-term. “The next English crop is due in the middle of June. The UK weather is currently very dry especially in eastern England where we are. If it stays this way, it may delay the English harvest and increase the market for the French carrot. But I feel it's very difficult to predict anything,” he concurs.

Lane reluctantly goes along with this. “We (Fruco) are the biggest handler of French carrots and the period we can provide them for is limited. The season generally runs from May 10 to June 20. But, if the interest in Scottish carrots remains it may be that the French varieties won't make it into stores until May 25,” he says.

Yet suppliers believe the superiority of French carrots means that there will be always be a place for it within the market, as there is always a demand for imported carrots. “UK carrots are of a reasonable standard, but they are nowhere near as good as the French carrot when it's at its peak,” says Lane.

Mohan agrees with Lane regarding the quality of the French carrot but does consider that it still faces hard competition. “The Scottish carrot does generally tend to serve a different market. But there is a great deal of competition from countries on the continent. And right now there is a great deal of increased competition taking place among French exporters,” Mohan says.

However, Lane remains optimistic during this difficult time. “In the last few weeks we are receiving increasing daily demand for imported carrots. Every day a few more wholesalers have started ordering more French carrots,” he continues. “You really cannot find a better carrot than the French carrot at any time of year. You may find a UK carrot as good but never better,” he says.

The French carrot not only faces problems with UK carrots but also from UK supermarkets. Asda has come out and said that they will only stock UK produce and Mohan understands this. “You can see why the supermarkets back produce from their own country. However, they should consider the superior quality of the French carrot. You could say that they are opting for loyalty to the home market over the quality of the French carrot,” he says.

Lane echoes Moran's sentiments. “UK supermarkets are trying to support their own growers for as long as possible,” he says. Outmezguine agrees with both. “UK carrots are stored at this time so if there are any problems, the choice of the French carrot offers a much fresher alternative,” he adds.

It appears that the prices will be low again this season. Lane says: “It looks like this season will be similar to last year and that is very unusual as we don't normally have two seasons the same. We are committed to producing large volumes of French carrots and our biggest market for this produce is the UK and Ireland. So it is important we maintain our position.”

Lane is aiming to maintain Fruco's position in the market place even though it's a rough ride. “We are in partnership with one grower exclusively in UK and Ireland. The grower is independent and is among the top growers in Bordeaux. To develop at such a difficult time we promote ourselves on quality and we have to be aggressive. Our reputation is built upon delivering what customers want and when they want it,” he states.

The other concern is the exchange rate, which this time last year was sat around e1.6 to £1 but is now currently wobbling at approximately e1.4 to the pound. Fruco is now seeing an increase in other root vegetable business as the carrot stutters along steadily. We grow leeks in the region of Bordeaux, where the volumes of carrots we're producing has hit a wall. We are seeing our market in leeks increase year on year. And last year we produced more than 1,000 tonnes.

For this season the growers and suppliers of French carrots are hoping that they get through relatively un-harmed and that next year lightning doesn't strike for a third time.

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