Helios Detected Flooding During the 2023 French Carrot Harvest, Leading to Quality Concerns and Supply Shortages
At a glance: Helios helped customers identify the French carrot disruption as soon as it happened - and four full months before it was widely reported. This enabled customers to modify orders, secure new contracts, and procure carrots from elsewhere before their competitors.
What happened?
In Brest, France, the 2023 carrot harvest faced severe challenges due to adverse weather conditions. In November, Storm Ciaran struck, causing logistical difficulties, power outages, and interruptions in the harvesting process. The situation worsened with continued rainfall, which restricted access to fields, led to sanitation problems, and contributed to lower crop yields. Of the carrots that were able to be harvested, the quality was much lower than expected. As a result, carrot prices were 12% higher than those in the 2022-2023 campaign and 43% above the average from 2018 to 2022.
How Helios Helped
In late October, Brest region moisture levels began to deviate significantly from historical averages, with rainfall exceeding the 10-year average by 14.8 inches by November. Helios users were immediately alerted to the high-risk situation, allowing them to modify their orders and obtain new contracts to ensure produce quality. It also gave users the critical time needed to secure exported carrots at a lower cost than competitors. As precipitation continued to exceed historical averages, it further threatened the supply and quality of the carrot harvest. Thanks to Helios, customers were well-prepared for this critical weather situation.
