Record heat threatens French prune harvest

French producers of the renowned Agen prunes are facing significant losses after record-breaking heat hit the country in the second half of June. According to the French Interprofessional Prune Association, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed one month before harvest begins, but processors are already concerned about future supplies.

From June 17 to 27, daytime temperatures exceeded 35°C for 11 consecutive days, while nighttime temperatures remained above 20°C. Combined with very low humidity, these conditions caused severe heat stress in orchards, leading to sunburned fruit and heavy fruit drop. Depending on the orchard, crop losses are currently estimated at 10% to 100%.

The heat has damaged not only the fruit but also the trees themselves. Growers are reporting scorched leaves, completely dried branches, and even tree mortality for the first time on a large scale. These impacts could reduce not only the 2026 harvest but also the productive capacity of French orchards in the coming years.

The latest weather disaster is another setback for an industry that has endured several consecutive years of adverse weather. In 2024, French prune production fell by 30% due to hailstorms and excessive rainfall, while in 2025 orchards were again affected by hail, heavy rain, strong winds, and sunburn damage.

According to the association, the smaller harvest will tighten raw material supplies for processors, with inventories already at low levels after several poor production seasons. The industry continues to invest in climate adaptation through new varieties, improved water management, healthier soils, and better production practices, but growers stress that additional government support will be needed to cope with increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Tags: France, drought