AWith three supermarkets and four bakeries, Cavignac trade is a real local powerhouse. The market of this Haute Gironde commune of 2,500 souls has its reputation. The place is well located, with two exits on the Nationale 10 – going to Angoulême – and the elders explain that it is the continuation of a fair that has a history of two centuries.
“Summer is the prime period for fruit consumption. It’s good weather that wants it. But the weather has spoiled the work a lot this year.”
Thursday – Sunday to Sunday – there are about forty exhibitors and mostly sell products…
AWith three supermarkets and four bakeries, Cavignac trade is a real local powerhouse. The market of this Haute Gironde commune of 2,500 souls has its reputation. The place is well located, with two exits on the Nationale 10 – going to Angoulême – and the elders explain that it is the continuation of a fair that has a history of two centuries.
“Summer is the prime period for fruit consumption. It’s good weather that wants it. But the weather has spoiled the work a lot this year.”
Thursday – Sunday to Sunday – there are about forty exhibitors and mainly sell food products, especially fruits and vegetables. In his large, colorful stable, Alexandre Hercouet keeps an eye on everything. With thirty years under his belt, he has a large family business in the market – his son Jordan is there – with a shop in Blaye and a range of customer services.
“Summer is the prime period for fruit consumption. It’s good weather that wants it. But this year, the weather conditions greatly hindered the work. » The fact that 2024 will be particularly wet and the thermometer will remain very low will not escape anyone’s attention. There was too little sun to get a good harvest. In addition, some fruits store less well if there are significant temperature changes from one day to the next. And with this gloomy weather, some French people are simply less keen on this type of food. It remains to be seen what the next few weeks will bring.
Late melons
All offers from Blayais retail in front of our eyes: French nectarines for €5.90 per kilo, French cherries for €8.90, Spanish brunnons for €2.30, French apricots for €3.50, French peaches for €4.50, French melons for €4.50 . €3.90 and Spanish melons are €5. As for vegetables – all produced in France – potatoes are €3.90, courgettes €2.50, leeks €3.80, green peppers €4.50.
The Hercouet family is experiencing typical difficulties this year: a complicated supply of potatoes (from Britain); delay in French melon season; very expensive hexagonal cherries, especially the first ones; unripe tomatoes. Production froze, others fell victim to hail, and supplies are sometimes hard to come by at the MIN – national interest market in Bordeaux or Agen.
Maurice and Jacqueline, who are over 80 years old and from the neighboring town, are regular customers of the Cavignac market. Strawberries, peaches, cherries, bananas and potatoes are the buys of the day. “During the Covid crisis, everything went up and prices never came down. But we don’t want to deprive ourselves, fruit is a summer treat,” says Mr. Budget? About 40 euros, plus the equivalent amount at the rotisserie next door. So it will be €80 for this Thursday. “In the garden where I work with my cousin, we spend more because there is almost no produce. Potato vegetation and salads are eaten by slugs. »
Frosty and full
Evelyn nodded as she felt the pepper and shopping bag two steps away. This pensioner likes to make ratatouille and other piperad dishes every year. He will not buy anything from his 1,000-square-meter orchard of pear, cherry and other plum trees this year. “The vegetation was early – the winter was mild – everything froze in April. » He regrets the delay of the tomato and onion season and prepares to plant green beans. There is no question of defeating yourself.
Now go to the stall at Tastet, a large Charente fruit and vegetable operator. It’s almost noon and Andre is packing. The house produces its own apples – €1.66 per 4 kilos – cherries, blueberries and walnuts. “We talk about prices, but our professions need manpower. This year when we have to sort more fruits and vegetables, such as cherries. Energy (electricity) prices have increased. » The expert notes that the price of avocados has risen and the price of the first apricots of the season was not suitable for all budgets. “For smaller budgets, we offer less beautiful but equally good fruit. » Ideal for homemade jams.
General inflation in France was +5.2% in 2022 and +4.9% in 2023. In the period from June 2023 to June 2024, it fell to +2%. On the other hand, food inflation was much higher: +6.8% in 2022 and +12.2% in 2023. In this category, fruits and vegetables are +10.2% in 2023 compared to 2022.