Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation
Farms in the Farm Accounting Data Network (RICA) show a 1.9 % growth in their current pre-tax income in 1998. Incomes range from 62,000 Francs for pig and poultry farms to 547,000 Francs for AOC (French quality mark : with an appellation of origin) vine growers. Without production subsidies, income would be negative for 140,000 professional farms.
Today the share of groups of firms in the agri-food industry is preponderant, as in the other sectors. French groups account for 45% of the number, and foreign groups 20%. The weight of groups is particularly strong in the dairy industry, whereas small structures have conserved a large share of the meat and animal-feed industries.
1999 was morose for cereals with a 6 % drop in production because of set-aside. Only maize harvests were up. Oilseed harvests continued their upward trend and reached 6.6 million tonnes, or 15 % more than 1998.
In 1999, the average decrease in prices of agricultural products homogeneously affects all types of farming. That results in a general decline in added value and the average income. The strongest decrease is expected among field cropping holdings. The income of animal farms is in relatively moderate decrease, but the crisis of granivore industry remains. Only the income of standard viticulture is progressing, thanks to an increased crop.
Champagne shipping should progress by nearly 19% in 1999. Six bottles out of ten are sold in France, but exports have been most dynamic in the last few years. The total amount of 1999 sales will come close to 24 billion francs, i.e. 25% more than in 1998.
In spite of a continued consumption drop, French wine sector is alive and well. It has put an end to overproduction and adapted in order to offer quality products. It greatly contributes to the surplus of the agrofood commercial balance, with nearly no subsidies.
More than two out of three pastures have received mineral fertilizers in 1998. More frequent than in 1982, these are presently lower-dose products. Contrary to acreages which receive mineral fertilizers, acreages getting farming effluents clearly recede. Temporary grasslands receive the biggest amount of nitrogen.
Nearly 10,000 agrofood firms under 20 workers employ 41,000 persons. There are more of these firms in the South of France than in the North and West, regions where the French agrofood industry concentrates. These small firms use an important part of their turnover for the improvement of their equipment.
Organic milk only represents 0.2% of the collection of dairy industry in 1998. Over 40% of the national production of organic milk comes from five dairy plants. The Franche-Comté region is the most specialised in that type of milk.
In 1998, agricultural land prices confirms their 1997 recovery. Arable land price increases by 3% as well as grassland price. The situation of vineyards is still uneven : the price of AOC vineyards increases by 10% while the price of other vineyard decreased by 1%. The price of orchards raises by 1%.
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation