The current failure of the European negotiations on a common tariff shield has led to national initiatives throughout Europe. Germany has announced a price cap for electricity at 130 €/MWhm, while Poland has talked about 180 €/MWh. Spain and Portugal have already agreed on 200 €/MWh, and many of our companies buy at more than 500 €/MWh on the French market.
The absence of an energy plan in France to match the current crisis will have an impact on every part of the agri-food chain and create uncertainty for all companies. The cumulative impact for agricultural, processing and distribution companies clearly makes it difficult to offer products that are affordable for consumers. The sustainability of many companies is called into question.
The French government has announced a decrease in the volume of ARENH (100 TWh in 2023 instead of 120 TWh for 2022) and the current support system is too weak to compensate for the explosion of energy prices. They do not resolve either the distortions created by competition in Europe and around the world. Finally, the limit of 36 kVA for VSEs/SMEs protects very few companies and farms.
In the face of such distortions, many companies cannot pass on the explosion of production costs, so they will have no choice but to rationalize their ranges, and drastically reduce or even put an end to their activities. This situation is a direct threat to the competitiveness of French products, the continuity of supply to the domestic market, and the competitiveness on the export market.
The French government considers the agricultural, food and industrial sovereignty of France to be strategic. However, it is essential to protect our sector with a support plan that corresponds to the current challenges. Otherwise, French companies will not be able to survive if energy prices in France are significantly higher (above 180 €/MWh) than in other European countries.
Signatories
AIB (Interprofessional Banana Association)
AIBS (Interprofessional Sugar Beet and Sugar Association)
Anicap (French Interprofessional Association for Goats)
Anifelt (French Interprofessional Association for Processed Fruit and Vegetables)
Anvol (Interprofessional Association for Meat Poultry)
CIFOG (Interprofessional Committee for Foie Gras Palmipeds)
CIHEF (Interprofessional Committee for French Essential Oils)
CIPA (Interprofessional Committee for Aquaculture Products)
Cipalin (Interprofessional Committee for the Agricultural Production of Flax)
CLIPP (Interprofessional Committee for the Promotion of Rabbit Products)
CNIEL (French Interprofessional Center for the Dairy Economy)
CNIPT (French Interprofessional Potato Committee)
CNIV (French Committee of the Interprofessions for Wines with designation of origin and geographical indication)
CNPO (French Committee for the Promotion of Eggs)
FBF (France Wood Forest)
GIPT (Interprofessional Group for the Promotion of the Potato)
Inaporc (French Pork Interprofession)
InterApi (Interprofessional Association for Hive Products)
Interbev (French Interprofessional Association for Livestock and Meat)
Intercéréales (Interprofession of the French Cereal Industry)
Interfel (Interprofessional Association for Fruit and Vegetables)
Interhoublon (Interprofession of French Hops)
SEMAE (Interprofession of Seeds and Plants)
Terres Univia (Interprofession of Vegetable Oils and Proteins)
Unicid (French Interprofessional Cider Union)