Fruit and veg prices falling

AFTER two years of rising prices, the cost of fruit and veg in France has fallen this summer according to a survey.

The average price of fruit dropped 12% compared to last year, while the price of vegetables has fallen 3%, according to the study by Familles Rurales, published in La Croix.

Last year, farmers in France endured a miserable spring, which forced prices up, but generally favourable growing conditions in early spring and summer 2014 have led to an increase in production and falling prices.

Only peppers have risen in price this year, while the cost of apples, melons, peach, courgette, salad vegetables, and pears have dropped 20% on average, the study found.

The cost of 1kg of fruit is, on average, €3.34 this year, compared to €3.78 in 2013; meanwhile, the cost of 1kg of vegetables has dropped from €2.21 to €2.15.

Familles Rurales said that, last month, more than 75% of fruit and vegetables available in superstores were of French origin. The figure in markets was closer to 80%.

The falling cost extends to organic produce, the study said, with prices falling 14% on average for fruit and 11% for vegetables. The total cost of buying organic remains much higher, however - with prices on average 66% more for fruit, and 58% for vegetables.

It’s not all good news. Nutella lovers may be in line for a shock, after the price of hazelnuts rose to its highest level in a decade.

A miserable March in Turkey, the world's largest producer of hazelnuts, has led to a major shortage, 50 of which go into every jar of the popular chocolate and hazelnut spread Nutella.

Meanwhile, the cost of two other main ingredients, cocoa beans and palm oil are both rising.

Unlike Nestle, Mondelez and Hershey, which have all increased prices of their chocolate products in recent months, Ferrero has not indicated the cost of a jar of the popular spread is about to jump. Yet.

Photo: Shayan