At its general assembly on December 1st, ANPP took the time to assess the situation, regarding the market situation, the prospects for 2023, the negotiations with mass retailers and manufacturers, as well as francization. It was also the opportunity to exchange with the politicians who were present. “We took advantage of the general assembly to take a step back and assess the situation,” explains Pierre Venteau, director of ANPP.
We asked two politicians to speak, who are very familiar with agricultural issues, especially regarding arboriculture: senator Laurent Duplomb, who has distinguished himself with the report on the Competitiveness of the French Farm, and deputy Frédéric Descrozaille, who is responsible for the law on risk management and crop insurance.”
Photo credit: ANPP
Difficulties in redirecting prices upwards
The increase in production costs and the difficulties in the negotiations with mass retailers and manufacturers have painted a rather bleak picture of the market situation and prospects for 2023. “We are very realistic about the situation, we know where we are headed and what the pitfalls are. But the biggest challenge has been to build fruitful relationships with mass retailers and manufacturers.”
“Prices are very low today for fresh produce and the industry and we struggle to redirect them upwards. What we are lacking is 20 cent inflation. Our starting price is now lower than it was last year. We need +25 to +30 cents per kg for the starting price of fresh produce, and +5 to +8 cents for the industry.” This situation has made producers question whether they should harvest and whether they should continue the cultivation next year. Mass retailers and manufacturers remain deaf to our requests to pass on production costs, which puts companies and orchards in great difficulty.”
Photo credit: ANPP
Competitiveness and francization
Water management, fertilizers and packaging are all factors that explain the “decline in productivity and competitiveness.” “On this issue, we can perhaps communicate with politicians in order to make them understand that it is possible to reverse certain errors and find solutions together,” explains Pierre Venteau, referring in particular to the order of June 2021 on the creation of water storage or the prohibition of two analogues of neonicotinoids that are still authorized in other European countries and which pose a real problem of competitiveness for the sector.
But the debates were also oriented towards the issue of francization. “We are faced with another problem, for both apples and pears. Apples from Poland and pears from Belgium indeed appear as apples and pears made in France in some distribution channels, so the general assembly was also a chance to discuss the possible actions to take in order to fight this francization.”
For more information:
Sandrine Gaborieau
Association Nationale Pommes Poires (ANPP)
Phone: +33 (0) 5 62 72 44 49
s.gaborieau@pommespoires.fr
contact@lapomme.org
www.lapomme.org