French Apricot Festival through July 15

The “AOP Pêches et Abricots de France” association is running a national campaign to promote apricots through July 15, featuring in-store events at major supermarket chains and consumer outreach on social media. Since January 2026, the association has been chaired by Alexi Bois, a grower with nearly 100 hectares of orchards in Saint Gilles in the Gard department. He succeeds Bruno Darnaud, a former apricot grower from the Rhône Valley who has since retired. “We’ve managed to shift supermarket purchases toward French-grown apricots at the start of the season, with a price premium of 50 to 70 centimes compared to Spanish apricots,” says Alexi Bois.

France’s leading label in the fruit and vegetable aisle

The AOP has also managed the certified “Vergers Ecoresponsables” label for over 20 years. It guarantees consumers fruit that is both delicious and healthy, harvested in France with passion using sustainable and environmentally responsible methods. Technical research on orchard protection is another major focus of the AOP’s work, in collaboration with the SudExpé regional research station in Marsillargues, Hérault. The ban on numerous chemical active ingredients used against insect pests and the lack of effectiveness of biological solutions have caused fruit drop rates to nearly double. “Ecological transition policies are moving faster than innovations in biocontrol, placing the burden on businesses, which are becoming the fall guys,” warns Alexi.

For more information on the “Festival Abricots” campaign and the French stone fruit market, click here.