aixcentric

As most of you will know, on May 1st it is traditional in France to buy a little posy of lilies of the valley, a ‘porte-bonheur’, for the household or for friends; they are on sale everywhere, from florists and supermarkets to people selling them ‘a la sauvette’ on street-corners.  My photo shows a typical display, in this case taken one year on rue d’Italie in Aix.

But what will happen this year?

Around 80% come from Nantes where it is a 20-30m euro business.  Even in normal times, it’s dicey in timing – these plants are subject to variations in the weather – and in distribution logistics as they are so short-lived and delicate.

This year, they are early anyway due to a relatively mild winter, plus the normal outlets are severely curtailed due to the pandemic.  One grower called it a ‘coup de Poker’ as to whether to pay his 300 usual pickers the usual total 25,000 euros per day, or leave the lilies in the field.  The general expectation, according to La Provence, is that 70% will be unsold.  The large food-stores/supermarkets which are allowed to be open will be selling them as usual, and there is a possibility that florists will be able to have a table in front of a baker’s shop for instance.  For this, a decision will be taken at national level.

The growers are apparently hurriedly refocusing on vegetables which will hopefully help them make up their sales this year.