This Friday morning, the Ministries of Agriculture and the Economy brought together unions of producers, food manufacturers and large retailers. The government’s message was clear: “The State has assumed its responsibilities via aid and the resilience plan, but this is only part of the answer, there is a need to pass these cost increases on to the contracts. According to the ministries concerned, the State has called for the responsibility of all actors, relying on the renegotiation clauses extended since the EGalim 2 law to variations in energy, transport and packaging. And in the absence of clauses, “to show pragmatism and common sense”.
No shortage to fear
The processors will have to be perfectly transparent on the reality of the increases linked to the war and from a ministerial source, “would have shown a real desire to be so”. With regard to retailers, the assessment is more nuanced as regards the enthusiasm shown to embark on renegotiations. Every Thursday, during the month devoted to this new time of exchange, the actors will be brought together by the two ministries in order to see the progress of the process. The State has reaffirmed the need “that each link in the food chain can find its way around. »
“In France, the impact is not on supply but on prices”
And if some do not want to renegotiate? No sanctions foreseen for the moment but “strong pressure” from the government. The idea is to include indicators in the contracts allowing prices to be adjusted to the strong variations induced by the conflict, without having to renegotiate each month. For the consumer, as Julien Denormandie and Bruno Le Maire have been hammering for three weeks, “there will be no shortage” makes the government resonate. “In France, the impact is not on supply but on prices”. The prices exactly.
While the latest trade negotiations suggested an overall increase of 3% for the individual’s wallet, “it is still too early to assess the impact of these future readjustments”. Finally, it should be noted that the national council for collective catering will meet next week to see what actions can be put in place so that here too the contracts integrate the real extent of the crisis.
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