1. What is agricultural seasonality?

A product is considered "in season" when it grows naturally in a region, without heated greenhouses or long-distance transport. In France, strawberries appear in spring, tomatoes in summer, apples in autumn.

This seasonality depends on local climate, sunlight, rainfall, and soil temperature. It therefore varies from one country to another—sometimes dramatically.

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2. Seasons aren’t the same all over the world

Imagine you’re in France, in the middle of summer. Markets are full of zucchinis, tomatoes, melons. These are what we call “seasonal products.” Now hop on a plane — destination: Ecuador. There, seasonal markers disappear. The weather is mild year-round, and mango trees bear fruit almost continuously.

In equatorial regions like Kenya, Colombia, or Ecuador, temperatures barely fluctuate between January and December. The result? Avocados, bananas, and flowers grow almost year-round. Here, “seasons” depend more on rainfall patterns or altitude than on the calendar.

Let’s switch settings again: head to the Mediterranean basin. In Spain, Morocco, or southern Italy, seasons do exist, but they’re milder. Winters are gentle, summers long and hot. That means you can grow produce for a longer period without heated greenhouses. Tomatoes are ready by spring, and citrus fruits last into February.

Now picture December. It’s freezing in Paris? Snowing in Berlin? Meanwhile, it’s harvest time in Chile or blueberry season in South Africa. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are simply reversed compared to Europe. This global complementarity helps keep supermarket fruit shelves full—even in midwinter.

Fun fact:
Peru is now a major global supplier of avocados. But its season only lasts six months. When Peruvian trees rest, growers in Mexico’s mountainous regions take over, where the climate allows up to three harvests per year. This worldwide relay system is what keeps your guacamole bowls well-stocked all year long.

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3. Why it matters for buyers and distributors

Seasonality determines a product’s availability—but also its price, quality, and origin. For buyers and distributors, this means:

• Anticipating shortages or production peaks,
  
  
• Knowing when an origin becomes competitive (e.g., Spanish citrus replaces South African from November),
  
  
• Adapting to customer expectations (local, organic, or year-round availability).
  
  

Example:
Ginger is often seen as “exotic.” But it’s also grown in France… only from April to September. The rest of the year, it’s imported from India or China, which can produce year-round thanks to their tropical climates.

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4. The logistical and environmental challenges of seasonality

When a product isn’t available locally, it’s imported. That means longer transport times, possible cold storage, and a larger carbon footprint.

A common dilemma:

• Buy local—but only when in season,
  
  
• Or import—to meet constant demand, with a higher environmental cost.
  
  

Fun fact:
Apples sold in France in April may come from New Zealand. They’ve traveled 20,000 km… because the European season has ended, but it's just beginning in the Southern Hemisphere.

Consumers, however, often expect “the same shelf all year round.” That’s why it’s crucial for professionals to manage seasonal transitions smartly and communicate clearly about origins.

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Conclusion

Seasonality is more than just a calendar—it's a strategic lever to buy better, sell smarter, and consume more responsibly. For professionals, understanding global growing seasons means better supply management, stronger margins, and more sustainable sourcing.

At Consentio, we help you stay on top of these cycles—by connecting you with your suppliers, helping you anticipate offers, and giving you the visibility you need. All year round.

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