A Combination of Circumstances Led to a Shortage of Mustard in France in 2022

Mustard Seed

France

Published Aug 22, 2022

Several factors contributed to the mustard shortage in France, which is best known for producing the famous Dijon mustard. A significant factor leading to the deficit was the drought in Canada, which reduced the yield of brown mustard seeds significantly. Another factor was the consecutive production reduction in France due to stricter insecticide regulations in the EU and the ongoing drought. To worsen the situation, access to alternative suppliers such as Russia and Ukraine was difficult due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Consumers in France have noticed shortages of mustard in stores to the extent where customers were limited to purchasing one mustard cap in some supermarkets. A similar situation is occurring in Italy, with mustard supplies for the entire EU tightening.

Source: Tridge

One of France's significant mustard seed suppliers is Canada, the largest mustard seed exporter globally. In 2021, the total export value was USD 93.9M. Due to the drought that hit Canada in July 2021, production decreased by 28% YoY. According to the Canadian Department of Agriculture, mustard seed production was around 50,000 mt in 2022, a 49.49% YoY decrease. Almost 80% of the mustard produced in France is based on Canada-origin raw materials, more precisely, brown mustard seed. 2021 marked a consecutive decline in mustard seed imports from Canada, decreasing from 12,002mt in 2019 to 9,120mt in 2020, and 8,632mt in 2021. The imports were a reduction of 5.35% YoY and a 28.07% three-year decline. Canada's decreased harvest of mustard seed led French traders to look for alternative suppliers. France imports mustard seeds mainly from Germany and imported a total quantity of 14,370 mt and a total value of USD 16.8M in 2021. However, most of the mustard seeds imported from Germany were re-exports from Russia and Ukraine. Germany imported 29,078 mt of mustard seed from Russia and Ukraine in 2021, and 14,370mt was directed to France. Russia and Ukraine were among the top ten producing countries in 2021 of mustard seed. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Russian market was not accessible due to sanctions, while Ukraine production was severely affected due to the conflict. Besides Russia and Ukraine, India is a potential supplier of white mustard seeds, and some countries even offer the finished product (mustards), but the quality may be unsatisfying to Europeans.

Mustard Seed Soil Requirements and Different Varieties

There are no special requirements for the soil if it is properly fertilized. Soils that warm up faster in the spring suit mustard seed production, and the crop tolerates acidic soils up to pH 5.5 and reacts very well to limestone and limestone-clay soils. Growing on salt marshes, depressions, and shaded slopes are not recommended. Among mustard seed plants, two varieties take the leading share of industry usage: white or yellow mustard (Sinapis alba), Mediterranean origin, and brown or Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), origin Himalayan. Different flavor and the quality of mustard seeds mentioned above determine their industry usage. The spicy brown mustard seed is used in French mustards, white is used in the US and Germany, and the UK combines both types in consumption. The most famous Dijon mustard uses brown mustard seed, mainly of Canadian origin.

The cold snap in the spring and the ongoing drought in France influenced the 2022 production. Even in the past CY seasons, French mustard seed harvest decreased significantly from 12,000 mt in 2016 to a mere 4,000 mt in 2021. The EU green agenda and insecticide ban have pushed farmers away from mustard seed production and alternative harvesting crops such as rapeseed or grains.

Due to a lack of alternatives, the French industry is revoking domestic mustard seed production. According to the Association of Burgundy Mustard Seed Producers (APGMP), efforts have been made to increase overall acreage under mustard seed production in Burgundy. Also, the 2023 mustard seed price has been set at USD 2,029/mt, a 48% increase compared to this year. Bearing in mind that the 2021/22 mustard seed production has ended and that there are currently no suitable alternatives for the French market, the shortage of mustard and its high prices will continue for the next few months.