Crau hay's agricultural significance

The Crau hay plays a major role in the agriculture of the Bouches-du-Rhône and particularly the Pays d'Arles. It is cultivated on nearly 13,500 hectares, of which 10,000 are AOP, in a triangle located between Arles, Salon-de-Provence, and Fos-sur-Mer.

Irrigation system and its role

The green Crau refers to these irrigated meadows using gravity-fed water from the Durance and the Serre-Ponçon dam, which stores water and snow from the Alps when it melts. This system of canals, the main one being the Craponne canal dating back to the 16th century, allows agriculture in this plain, which would otherwise be a desert, like the nearby dry Crau, a semi-arid steppe that can be found in the Coussouls-de-Crau National Nature Reserve.

Irrigation technique and its benefits

Gravity irrigation of the meadows is the oldest technique used by humans. The meadow is flooded for a few hours, the time it takes for the water to reach the end of the plot. The irrigation period lasts 7 to 9 months, beginning in early March and ending in October, and is carried out according to the distribution of water turns among producers. It allows not only to produce three hay harvests per year, but also to recharge the Crau groundwater aquifer, which supplies drinking water to more than 300,000 people, with a maximum recharge during irrigation periods.

Crau hay's economic challenges

After several difficult years, with prices barely covering the farmers' costs, the 2026 season was expected to be better for Crau hay producers. Recent market prices gave the gross ton of hay around 260 euros, compared to an average of 180 euros last year. Some producers even sold their stocks for less than 180 euros per ton in June, as noted by Didier Tronc, president of the Crau Hay Committee, which brings together about 300 producers.

Shift in agricultural practices

At these prices, some have considered changing production entirely. Some have already started planting almond trees in recent years, a more profitable culture linked to strong demand, which raises concerns about the future of this territory and the supply of the aquifer. Indeed, orchard farming also present in the Crau draws from the underground reserves instead of filling them, as does the hay cultivation.

Impact of climate on production

Despite irrigation, the climatic conditions this year have had consequences on production. "We benefited from spring rains and a good first cut. For the second cut, the hay suffered from the heat, with nights at 26 degrees, or more. Grass grows less under these conditions even though we have the Serre-Ponçon dam's agricultural reserve to supply our irrigation canals in the summer. We did not experience any usage restrictions. We suffered less than in many other regions in France that do not have irrigation. However, the second cut harvest is down by about 30%. The third cut was even worse with lower yields and poor quality. In total, we have a decrease in production across the three cuts of about 20%."

Market dynamics and price concerns

Concerning sales, it did not take off immediately. September was rather quiet. Sales really started in October at finally remunerative prices, around what they were in 2020. "We recommend selling between 250 and 260 euros per ton of hay, but everyone is free to do so. Of course, there is always a small minority who speculates, because there is a lack of forage everywhere. Some regions in France recorded production losses of up to 50% this summer. I heard that poor quality hay was sold for 400 euros per ton. It's madness! If you sell 300 euros or more to distressed farmers, they won't come back to you, unless there is a new drought episode. If we want to keep our customers, it's a bad calculation. At the Crau Hay Committee, we strongly advise against such prices, because we need to think about the medium and long term."

Floods and their impact

This temptation would be further accentuated with the new local needs that appeared after the Cevennes episode of October 19 and 20. "We were approached by the ACCM agglomeration community, which is looking for hay for the manadiers. But the hay is already mostly gone, and we also had losses, with water flooding the storage sheds up to a meter in height sometimes." Flooded meadows and storage sheds. About fifty hay producers have already contacted the committee last week. Experts are currently assessing the extent of the losses.

Local consequences of the floods

"We will see what we can do to help the farmers. If we need to provide 200 tons, it is possible, but not 2,000 tons," says Didier Tronc. The consequences of the floods are also felt by hay producers who rent their meadows in the autumn and winter to shepherds. In Moulès, a village in Arles, René Gazagnaire saw part of his land, located north of the Craponne canal, flooded, about 20 hectares. "The canal blocked. There was no outflow and no one came to pump water at our place. These fields are unusable for the shepherd, approximately a month's worth of food that will be missing for the sheep. He doesn't know yet how to deal with it. He may have to leave earlier elsewhere... We are also wondering if the floods will not have an impact on the first cut of hay next year. We would need to plan for drainage under the canal so that this does not happen again in the future."

Future of Crau hay

Like many agricultural products, Crau hay is subject to climatic hazards. Its very good nutritional quality, which has earned it an AOP since 1997, is not an absolute guarantee for obtaining a decent income every year. It is therefore necessary to think a bit. The younger generation is doing so. Created a few years ago, the Eau Top Crau association aims to promote the gravity irrigation of the Crau hay meadows and preserve the Crau ecosystem. It will soon give a platform to four local young farmers to present their solutions for better valorizing their Crau hay production and living decently from their activities.

Event to showcase young farmers' ideas

Camille Maureau will speak about goat farming and cheeses, Caroline Maureau about Camargue mares, milk, and cosmetics; Blaise Brun about sheep farming, meat, and cheeses; Nicolas Valérian about pig farming, meat, and charcuterie. The event will take place at the Marie Blanc multi-purpose hall, on the road to Corsica in Moulès, on Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m. Entry is free and open to all.