Informations Rapides · 30 April 2024 · n° 113

In March 2024, agricultural producer prices fell by 8.6% year on year Indices of agricultural prices - March 2024

In March 2024, agricultural producer prices went down year on year for the twelfth consecutive month (‑8.6% after ‑10.2% in February). These prices were nonetheless still 24.9% above their March 2020 level. Cereal prices tended to be back to the levels they had before the health crisis and the war in Ukraine, while those of oilseeds, of animals and animal products (milk and eggs) and of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits remained still markedly above their level of four years ago. Over one month, agricultural producer prices “excluding fruits and vegetables (including potatoes), cut flowers and potted plants” rose by 0.3% (after ‑2.0% in February).

In March 2024, agricultural input purchase prices fell back year on year for the eleventh consecutive month (‑5.9% after ‑6.5%). They were 26.8% higher than in March 2020. They went down over one month (‑0.3% after +0.6% in February).

In March 2024, cereal prices rose over one month for the first time since seven months (+1.1% after ‑8.2% in February), due to geopolitical tensions in the east of the European Union. Prices bounced back for maize (+7.5% after ‑11.6%), due to downward production prospects in Brazil, and for barley (+1.0% after ‑7.6%), heavy rains in spring restraining the production. Soft wheat prices moved not much (‑0.8% after ‑7.6%). Year on year, cereal prices dropped significantly for the thirteenth consecutive month (‑28.9% in March after ‑32.5% in February). They thus continued to move closer to their level of four years ago (+8.5% compared with March 2020).

Oilseed prices rose over one month in March 2024 (+4.1% after ‑3.5% in February). Prices bounced back for rapeseed (+5.7% after ‑3.1%) and for sunflower (+2.2% after ‑2.5%), due to the current rise in oil prices and to the downward revision of Canadian production prospects. Year on year, oilseed prices continued to drop (‑10.8% in March 2024 after ‑25.4% in February). They were 22.5% higher than in March 2020.

The fall in fresh vegetable prices intensified year on year: ‑14.0% in March 2024 (after ‑10.3% in February). Prices fell drastically for leeks (‑38.6% after ‑15.3%), coloured onions (‑37.4% after ‑9.2%), cabbages (‑28.4% after ‑49.6%), with the rebound in production due to soft temperatures in February, and for salads (‑19.9% after ‑22.4%). Prices continued to rise for chicories (+14.6% after +16.3%), shallots (+14.2% after +9.5%), red beetroots (+11.9% after +11.9%), and carrots (+10.7% after +14.8%). In March 2024, fresh vegetable prices were 18.2% above their March 2020 level.

Year on year, fresh fruit prices continued to rise in March 2024 (+4.4% after +5.7% in February). Prices went up markedly for strawberries (+16.0%) and pears (+12.2% after +16.8% in February). They continued to slow down for apples (+1.0% after +4.9%) and sped up for kiwis (+8.6% after +2.9%) and nuts (+11.9% after +9.6%). Fresh fruit prices were 24.1% above their March 2020 level.

In March 2024, animal prices went down over one month (‑0.7% after ‑0.2% in February). Prices fell back for large cattle (‑1.4% after +0.7%) and pigs (‑0.9% after +1.2%). The fall in poultry prices softened (‑0.6% after ‑4.5%). Prices continued to rise for sheep (+4.7% after +0.9%), with Easter coming, as did those for calves (+0.3% after +0.3%).

Year on year, animal prices went down in March 2024 for the seventh consecutive month (‑6.1% after ‑5.7% in February). The fall in prices was substantial for poultry (‑11.9% after ‑11.6%) and pigs (‑11.5% after ‑11.3%). Prices of large cattle went down more moderately (‑3.4% after ‑2.1%). Those of sheep kept accelerating (+11.8% after +7.6%). In March 2024, animal prices were 34.6% higher than in March 2020.

Egg prices went down again over one month in March 2024 (‑3.3% after ‑6.0% in February). Year on year, they fell for the ninth consecutive month (‑15.7% after ‑14.3% in February). They remained nonetheless well above their March 2020 level (+91.9%).

Prices of milk almost stabilized over a month (‑0.1% after +0.9% in February). Prices for cow milk rose slightly (+0.2% after +0.9%), those for goat milk fell back (‑2.5% after +0.6%). Year on year, milk prices went down for the sixth consecutive month (‑3.9% after ‑4.6%). Over four years, they rose substantially (+29.4% compared to their March 2020 level).

In March 2024, the purchase prices of intermediate consumption went down slightly over one month (‑0.5% after +0.8% in February). Prices fell back for energy (‑1.9% after +6.1%) and fertilizers and soil improvers (‑0.6% after +0.3%). Animal food prices continued to go down (‑1.2% after ‑1.2%). Prices sped up for plant protection products (+1.5% after +0.4%) and seeds (+1.0% after +0.3%). The evolution of prices remained moderate for small equipment and tools (+0.2% after ‑0.1%) and for the maintenance of materials (+0.2% after +0.2%). Prices almost stabilized for veterinary expenses (+0.1% after +1.1%) and for the “other goods and services” (+0.1% after +0.2%). They were stable for the maintenance of buildings (after +0.2% in February). Year on year, the purchase prices of intermediate consumption fell for the twelfth consecutive month (‑7.4% in March 2024 after ‑8.1% in February). They were nevertheless 29.3% higher than in March 2020.

In March 2024, the prices of investment goods bounced back over one month (+0.4% after ‑0.3% in February), due to the rise in material prices (+0.5% after ‑0.1%). They fell year on year for the third consecutive month (‑1.1% after ‑0.8% in February). They were nevertheless 19.8% above their level of four years ago (March 2020).

The year-on-year percentage change of the index of producer prices for agricultural products in February 2024 has been revised downwards by 0.1 percentage points (after rounding) at ‑10.2%, compared to the previous release. The year-on-year percentage change of the index of the purchase prices of inputs for agricultural production in February 2024 has not been revised.