Its price has climbed more than 9% in one year. France is struggling to produce seeds and to obtain supplies.
Mustard is scarce on supermarket shelves. In one year, its price has soared by more than 9%, according to the specialized research institute IRI. It is one of the 5 FMCG products whose price increased the most in April 2022 compared to April 2021. Oils, which are also currently facing a shortage, come in 4th position with an increase of about 10% observed over the last 12 months. On the podium, we find pasta (+15.3%) then frozen meats (+11.3%) and finally flour (+10.9%).
Read alsoShortage of sunflower oil: what alternatives for consumers?
The reason for the mustard shortage? The main seed producers are struggling. Canada, the world’s largest producer, experienced a severe drought in 2021. Production of mustard seeds thus fell in two years, falling from 135,000 tonnes in August 2020 to 99,000 tonnes a year later. According to the Canadian authorities, production should fall by another 28% by this summer, down to 71,000 tonnes. Another major supplier is Russia, which is targeted by financial and economic sanctions for having invaded Ukraine at the end of February.
What about French production? She’s not the best either. It has gone from 12,000 tonnes in 2016 to 4,000 tonnes today, according to the association of mustard seed producers in Burgundy. Consequence: the price explodes, from 800 euros to 1300 euros per ton. Even in Dijon, capital of mustard, the sector is in crisis. To remedy this, some have found a temporary solution. “Previously, we only had one brand on the shelf. From now on, we have several brands of local production“Explains William Thuel, store manager “Intermarché Super” Jaurès in Dijon, interviewed by TF1.
Read alsoMeat, oil, pasta… These products which weigh more and more heavily on the budget of the French
This shortage is causing a lot of reactions on Twitter. Some are annoyed by the situation. Others prefer to smile.