French cucumber

The start of the cucumber season bodes well for French producers, with the low temperatures of the last few weeks leading to lower volumes of Spanish produce on the market.

Britanny-based marketer Prince de Bretagne anticipates a volume of 15,000 crates of conventional cucumbers for the 2013 season.

According to the company's Gaëlle Juton, production is concentrated in the Loire Valley area, where the season starts following the conclusion of the Gariguette strawberry season, lasting from June/July until October.

Volumes of the marketer's organic cucumbers, which arrive earlier, are expected to be higher than for conventional cucumbers this season.

'We have fairly consistent supplies of organic cucumbers,' said Juton. 'For the coming season, we estimate a volume of around 18,000 crates. The season runs from May to September, with the peak season occurring in June, July and August. They are available in packs of 12 pieces, either loose or in flowpacks.'