Working together to brave the storm

At Hagelunie, we support many producers in dealing with adverse weather events. To illustrate how resilience manifests itself in the field, we went to meet our client Isabelle Le Page who produces Gariguette strawberries in Plougastel-Daoulas, manages SCEA Plougaserres and is co-president of the Plougastel Strawberry Association. She is joined by Xavier Bourhis – her trusted insurance broker of over ten years and founder of XBC Courtage. Together, they reflect on those critical days and share their experiences of Storm Ciaran.

From office work to working the land

Isabelle followed an unusual career path that led her into horticulture. For twenty years, she sold agricultural software in Finistère, before teaming up with her husband to grow tomatoes and strawberries. She found it to be a demanding but deeply rewarding job.

“You could say I fell into it, just like Obelix fell into the magic potion!”

Today, Isabelle Le Page manages SCEA Plougaserres in Plougastel-Daoulas, Brittany. On a 1.5-hectare plot, she now grows Gariguette strawberries destined for the local market. Although she started off growing tomatoes, Isabelle realised that the market was changing and that she needed to invest to stay competitive. That’s why she opted for strawberries. It was a defining choice that allowed the business to become more competitive and put down long-term roots in the market.

She also invests her time in the community as co-president of the Plougastel Strawberry Association, which brings together cooperative and independent producers, and campaigns to get the Plougastel strawberry recognised as a PGI (protected geographical indication), with the aim of preserving local expertise and helping new growers get off the ground.

A relationship of trust built in the field

Xavier Bourhis – Isabelle’s insurance broker and long-standing local partner of Hagelunie – is well aware of the realities in the field. He believes that supporting a producer involves more than just offering an insurance policy. It’s important to understand how a glasshouse works, anticipate risks and know how to react quickly to problems.

Over the years, Xavier and Isabelle have built up a real relationship of trust. Together, they have weathered several storms, but none as intense as Storm Ciaran.

“This combination of technical and human expertise is what enables me to be a true partner.”

Back to Storm Ciaran

On the night of 1 November 2023, extreme winds swept through Plougastel-Daoulas. Alerted by an email from Xavier, Isabelle and her team had secured the glasshouse, but the following morning, part of the roof had disappeared and two bays of plants had been damaged.

The challenge was daunting: it was a public holiday, another gale was forecast and swift action was needed to protect what was left of the structure.

Reacting quickly and rallying around

That next morning, even before Isabelle had chance to get on the phone, Xavier contacted her and took matters in hand. He ranked the region’s emergencies, taking into account planned plant deliveries, and immediately alerted Hagelunie, who promptly organised a call-out.

On Friday 3 November at 8.00 am, less than 48 hours after the storm hit, a specialist Dutch team arrived on site. Their efficiency made an immediate impression. No time was wasted in allocating tasks, securing the structure and beginning the repairs. While the team got on with the construction work, Isabelle and a few volunteers were able to start the clean-up operation, which helped to speed things up.

In only a fortnight, the glasshouse had been fully repaired. A remarkable time frame given the circumstances. Getting hold of all the right equipment at short notice was no easy task, but the teams coordinated their efforts to overcome the logistical challenges.

For Isabelle, this swift action was crucial:

“This immediate response made all the difference. We were able to get back up and running very quickly, without incurring any losses.”

She knows that not all growers were quite as fortunate. Some, who had less support, waited several days before any help arrived, which affected their morale.

“For us, it was the exact opposite. We received advice and support right from the off.”

Forward planning

Isabelle is well used to the Breton storms and knows to take preventive measures such as regular maintenance, securing the glazing and clearing the area around the glasshouse. But Ciaran strengthened her belief that prevention needs to go further.

She has since reinforced doors and openings, built up a strategic stock of spare glass panes and continues to follow all the instructions emailed to her. For Xavier, these simple acts can make all the difference between bouncing back quickly and weeks of downtime.

A word of advice for other producers

Isabelle believes that cost is not the only factor to consider. Having a good insurer who is accessible and proactive can make all the difference if something unexpected happens.

Xavier agrees and stresses that climate change makes these precautions more crucial than ever. Extreme weather events, such as storms or hail, can wipe out a harvest in just a matter of minutes.

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