Informations Rapides · 31 May 2024 · n° 142

In April 2024, agricultural producer prices fell by 6.3% year on year Indices of agricultural prices - April 2024

In April 2024, agricultural producer prices went down year on year for the thirteenth consecutive month (‑6.3% after ‑8.8% in March). These prices were nonetheless still 26.8% above their April 2020 level: the rise of prices over the past four years was still well above 20% for animals, animal products (milk and eggs), potatoes, and oilseeds, while it was below 20% for cereals, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. Over one month, agricultural producer prices “excluding fruits and vegetables (including potatoes), cut flowers and potted plants” rose again (+0.2%, as in March).

In April 2024, agricultural input purchase prices fell back year on year for the twelfth consecutive month (‑4.7% after ‑5.9%). They were 27.4% higher than in April 2020. Over one month, they went down by 0.2% (as in March).

In April 2024, cereal prices rose again over one month (+7.0% after +1.1% in March), due to the drought in the east of the European continent, to geopolitical tensions in this area, and to increasing needs from importer countries in North Africa. Prices sped up for maize (+10.7% after +7.5%), due to very rainy conditions in Brazil restraining production prospects, and for barley (+8.3% after +1.0%). Soft wheat prices bounced back (+4.9% after ‑0.8%). Year on year, cereal prices dropped nevertheless for the fourteenth consecutive month (‑18.8% in April after ‑28.8% in March). They were 12.7% higher than their level of April 2020.

Oilseed prices rose again over one month in April 2024 (+2.0% after +4.1% in March). Prices slowed down for rapeseed (+2.1% after +5.7%) and for sunflower (+1.7% after +2.2%). These price rises result from heavy rainy conditions over the past months in France and, more recently, in Brazil, marring production prospects. Year on year, oilseed prices continued to drop (‑2.0% in April 2024 after ‑10.8% in March). They were 24.1% higher than in April 2020.

Fresh vegetable prices continued to go down year on year: ‑12.6% in April 2024 (after ‑13.4% in March). Prices for season products were notably below their levels of one year earlier: artichokes (‑50.8%), coloured onions (‑47.2% after ‑37.4%), leeks (‑38.0% after ‑38.6%), and salads (‑5.0% after ‑19.9%). They fell back for tomatoes (‑13.6% after +2.3%) and carrots (‑5.8% after +10.7%). On the contrary, prices sped up for chicories (+23.9% after +14.6%), shallots (+20.9% after +14.2%), and asparagus (+11.2% after +4.6%). In April 2024, fresh vegetable prices were close to their April 2020 level (+0.8%).

Year on year, fresh fruit prices continued to rise in April 2024 (+4.5% after +4.4% in March). Prices sped up for kiwis (+12.0% after +8.6%) and continued to go up for strawberries (+8.5% after +16.0%), due to the late start of the season and to mild international competition. They fell back for apples (‑0.4% after +1.0%). In April 2024, fresh fruit prices were 18.1% above their April 2020 level.

In April 2024, animal prices continued to go down over one month (‑1.1% after ‑0.7% in March). The fall in prices intensified for pigs (‑4.0% after ‑0.9%) and poultry (‑1.1% after ‑0.6%). It softened for large cattle (‑0.4% after ‑1.4%). Sheep prices slowed down (+1.5% after +4.7%).

Year on year, animal prices went down in April 2024 for the eighth consecutive month (‑5.6% after ‑6.1% in March). The fall of prices was substantial for poultry (‑12.1% after ‑11.9%) and pigs (‑10.9% after ‑11.5%), and more moderate for large cattle (‑3.0% after ‑3.4%). Sheep prices kept accelerating (+12.9% after +11.8%). In April 2024, animal prices were 37.8% higher than in April 2020.

The fall of egg prices kept softening over one month in April 2024 (‑2.0% after ‑3.3% in March). Year on year, egg prices fell for the tenth consecutive month (‑17.0% after ‑15.7% in March). They remained nonetheless well above their April 2020 level (+80.4%).

Prices of milk fell slightly back over a month (‑0.2% after +0.1% in March). Prices of cow milk went down (‑0.3% after +0.2%), those of goat milk rose slightly (+0.2% after ‑2.8%). Year on year, milk prices went down for the seventh consecutive month (‑1.9% after ‑3.7%). Over four years, they rose substantially (+30.0% compared to their April 2020 level).

In April 2024, the purchase prices of intermediate consumption went down again over one month (‑0.4% after ‑0.5% in March). Prices continued to fall for animal feed (‑1.0% after ‑1.2%), energy (‑0.8% after ‑1.9%) and fertilizers and soil improvers (‑0.4% after ‑0.5%). They slowed down for plant protection products (+0.5% after +1.6%) and were almost stable for seeds (+0.1% after +1.1%). Price rises remained moderate for small equipment and tools (+0.2% after +0.3%), the maintenance of materials (+0.3% after +0.2%) and the “other goods and services” (+0.2% after +0.0%). Prices were once again stable for the maintenance of buildings and almost stable for veterinary expenses (+0.1% after +0.1%). Year on year, the purchase prices of intermediate consumption fell for the thirteenth consecutive month (‑6.0% in April 2024 after ‑7.5% in March). They were nevertheless 29.7% higher than in April 2020.

In April 2024, the prices of investment goods rose slightly over one month (+0.2% after +1.0% in March). They fell year on year for the forth consecutive month (‑0.7% after ‑0.5% in March). They were nevertheless 20.7% above their level of four years ago (April 2020).

The year-on-year percentage change of the index of producer prices for agricultural products in March 2024 has been revised downwards by 0.2 percentage points (after rounding) at ‑8.8%, compared to the previous release. The year-on-year percentage change of the index of the purchase prices of inputs for agricultural production in March 2024 is confirmed.