Informations Rapides · 30 April 2026 · n° 111

In March 2026, agricultural producer prices continued to fall year on year Indices of agricultural prices - March 2026

In March 2026, agricultural producer prices continued to go down year on year (‑1.4% after ‑1.3% in February, and +0.2% in January). Over one month, the fall in agricultural producer prices without seasonality – excluding fruits and vegetables (including potatoes) and horticultural products – softened (‑0.2% after ‑0.8% in February, and +0.7% in January).

Year on year, agricultural input purchase prices bounced back very clearly (+5.2% after ‑0.8% in February). They sped up over one month (+5.6% after +0.4%), driven by energy prices.

In March 2026, cereal prices sped up clearly over one month (+5.1% after +1.2% in February, and +1.2% in January), partly influenced by the conflict in the Middle East. Prices sped up firmly for soft wheat (+6.3% after +1.4% in February) and maize (+6.2% after +1.3%), and rose nearly at the same rate as in February for barley (+0.4% after +0.3%) and durum wheat (+0.9% after +1.0%). Year on year, the fall in cereal prices softened in March (‑8.2% after ‑14.1% in February, and ‑14.9% in January).

Oilseed prices sped up over one month in March 2026 (+3.8% after +3.4% in February, and +2.8% in January). Rapeseed prices sped up (+6.3% after +5.1% in February). Those of soya bounced back clearly (+7.3% after ‑0.3%), while those of sunflowers fell back (‑0.5% after +1.5%). Year on year, oilseed prices stopped declining in March (+0.2% after ‑4.7% in February, and ‑6.6% in January).

In March 2026, the fall in fresh vegetable prices softened year on year (‑4.6% after ‑10.4% in February, and ‑10.3% in January). Prices bounced back firmly for cabbages (+37.3% after ‑18.8% in February) and more moderately for radishes (+3.4% after ‑6.4%). They sped up clearly for tomatoes (+33.2% after +4.9%) and carrots (+13.0% after +3.5%), and slowed down for cucumbers (+6.4% after +15.1%). The fall in prices intensified for leeks (‑44.7% after ‑30.6%), salads (‑10.7% after ‑7.4%), chicories (‑7.2% after ‑6.4%) and mushrooms (‑6.0% after ‑4.9%).

The fall in fresh fruit prices intensified again year on year in March 2026 (‑3.0% after ‑2.0% in February, and ‑1.0% in January). Prices fell back clearly for strawberries (‑6.7% after +10.4% in February) and more moderately for kiwis (‑1.1% after +1.2%). The fall in prices softened for pears (‑2.6% after ‑4.4%) and slightly for apples (‑2.7% after ‑3.1%). Nut prices sped up (+7.0% after +1.4%).

The fall in prices for potatoes softened over a year, even if it remained heavy (‑35.0% after ‑44.5% in February).

In March 2026, animal prices fell back over one month (‑0.3% after a stability in February, and +0.4% in January). Those of large cattle fell anew (‑0.3% after +0.6% in February), but remained at high rates. The fall in pig prices softened slightly (‑3.4% after ‑3.7%). Prices slowed down for calves (+0.5% after +2.4%), and sped up for poultry (+0.5% after +0.2%). Sheep prices bounced back (+4.1% after ‑0.1%), with Eastern celebrations approaching.

Year on year, animal prices continued to slow down in March 2026 (+12.9% after +14.6% in February, and +15.6% in January). Prices slowed down slightly yet still firmly rising for large cattle (+27.3% after +32.0% in February) and calves (+20.6% after +22.0%). Poultry prices continued to go up (+0.7% as in February), and those of sheep bounced back (+0.9% after ‑1.2%). Pig prices continued to fall clearly (‑14.4% after ‑14.8% in February, and ‑14.0% in January).

In March 2026, the fall in milk prices softened again over one month (‑2.4% after ‑2.7% in February, and ‑3.4% in January). Year on year, the fall in milk prices continued to intensify (‑9.7% after ‑7.0% in February, and ‑4.1% in January).

Egg prices fell back firmly over one month (‑4.6% after +0.8% in February, and +1.1% in January). They slowed down clearly year on year (+5.6% after +22.9% and +26.6%).

In March 2026, purchase prices of intermediate consumption sped up clearly over one month (+7.5% after +0.6% in February), and reached their highest rate since April 2023. Prices sped up clearly for energy (+41.9% after +2.4%), due to the conflict in the Middle East causing a surge on oil prices, and for fertilizers and soil improvers (+7.3% after +1.6%), whose global rates were being affected by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Prices sped up more moderately for plant protection products (+2.0% after +0.4%), and seeds (+0.4% after +0.2%). They bounced back for small equipment and tools (+1.3% after ‑0.7%) and animal feed (+0.4% after ‑0.3%). Those of maintenance of machines continued to rise at the same pace (+0.3%). Prices were nealy stable for the “other goods and services” (+0.1% as in February), and stable for veterinary expenses (after +0.8%) and the maintenance of buildings (after +0.3%). Year on year, purchase prices of intermediate consumption bounced back clearly (+6.5% after ‑1.5% in February).

In March 2026, prices of investment goods fell slighlty over one month (‑0.2% after ‑0.1% in February). Year on year, they continued to go up (+1.2% after +1.3%).

The year-on-year percentage change in the global index of producer prices for agricultural products in February 2026 has been revised upwards by 0.1 percentage points, to ‑1.3%. The year-on-year percentage change in the global index of the purchase prices of inputs for agricultural production in February 2026 has been revised downwards by 0.2 percentage points, to ‑0.8%.