Mélina Facchin 9:47 a.m., July 30, 2022, modified at 9:50 a.m., July 30, 2022

Alélor, the last mustard producer in Alsace, is not experiencing the crisis, quite the contrary.

While the mustard shortage has affected many countries for several months, small local factories like this one always have stock, win new customers and boost their turnover.  

You have probably noticed it on the shelves of your supermarket: mustard has become a rare commodity in recent months.

This shortage is explained first by the drought which affected Canada, the world's leading producer of mustard seeds, last summer, then by the war in Ukraine, another exporter.

However, some local factories are doing well and even profiting from this crisis.

30% more turnover

At the moment, the production line at the Alélor factory in Mietesheim in the Bas-Rhin department is running at full speed.

Order boxes are piling up in the warehouse, the work rate of the twenty employees has been increased.

This family-run SME, nearly 150 years old, has a secret for avoiding shortages and even profiting from them: working in partnership with farmers in the region.

"We actually have 60% local seeds in our production", confirms Alain Trautmann, manager of Alélor.

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And with this global shortage, he won new customers: "Mass retailers found themselves in deep water, with large international groups who could no longer manufacture and deliver," he says.

"We have gone from 4 to 6 million euros in turnover and we are currently experiencing growth of 30%. At this rate, we will be at 60% by the end of the year", rejoices- he.

Three times more customers in store

This success, Cédric, manager of the factory shop, also notes: three times as many customers have been coming here since May.

"We refuel every day to fill the shelves of the store which are empty very quickly," he explains.

"I also take care of the online store and we can receive a hundred orders in two days, against three or four before," adds the seller.

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Towards an expansion of the premises

Patrick, a local resident, comes to fill up for him and his daughter who lives in Paris.

"She can't find any mustard there," he said in disbelief.

"It's become a rare commodity! So I come here because it's local and there's still stock."

Confident in the future, the manager of Alélor plans to expand his premises.

Even after the shortage, it is certain that his SME will continue on its good momentum.