The price increase for 2010 had been the subject of drawn out negotiations between producers and processors. According to the French daily Le Monde, Bel and Lactalis had previously accepted the proposal but others including Bongrain and Sodiaal had rejected it.
Reacting to the latest news, the FNPL, which represents French dairy farmers, said: “It was indispensible for farmers following the 2009 crisis and the strong level of charges that they face today.”
In addition to the pricing agreement, producers and processors agreed to introduce a mechanism for monitoring the difference in the cost of a litre of milk between France and Germany. The aim is to ensure that French prices remain competitive.
Competitive position
Pricing differences between the two countries will be integrated into future negotiations, so as to help prevent damage to competitiveness. Currently Germany is more price competitive although the difference between the countries has narrowed significantly since the sharp global fall in dairy prices last year.
Olivier Picot, president of the processing association ATLA, was quoted in Le Monde saying that the French industry must accept that it has to change its methods of production. He warned that the latest agreement will only last if deep and structural problems are tackled.
Picot said: “The average size of French farms is a lot smaller than in Germany, a fact that creates gaps in productivity and profitability.”