French interprofessional organisation Interfel has contested the results of a report by French association Familles Rurales suggesting that organic fresh produce was nearly 70 per cent more expensive in the country than conventional.
Interfel put forward an average price of €2.31 for a kilogram of organic fruits, 16 per cent dearer than the €1.99 for conventional.
For vegetables the difference was greater, according to Interfel, with organics on average some 23 per cent more expensive, at €2.35 compared with €1.91.
These percentages are significantly lower than those proposed by Familles Rurales, which stated that organic fruits and vegetables were 68 and 69 per cent more expensive respectively.
Interfel has also called into question the general increase in prices since last year that was reported by Familles Rurales.
The latter said that prices had risen by 11.1 per cent for fruits and 5.5 per cent for vegetables. However, Interfel, which has criticised the short period and small sample of Familles Rurales' study, puts these figures at 8 per cent 16 per cent respectively.
