Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation
Communication and information technology in the agri-food sector is used for management. Also specific software is adopted to guarantee product origins and quality.
Whether it be with a maximum limit or not, and with or without constraints concerning forage, direct Common Agricultural Policy aid to breeders brings 2.7 billion euros to 260,000 French farms in 2005.
Continuing price rises in 2006 : +2.8% for ploughable lands and +3.7% for grasslands. Among vineyards, only champagne and cognac increase.
Turnover of agribusiness firms with 2O or more employees increases by 3.3% in 2006, thanks to dynamic exports. Investment is strong, and current income improves. Employment continues to decrease.
With the introduction of single payment subsidies, farm aid that is not based on production accounts for 55% of farm income in 2006. Total public support for agriculture remains mostly stable.
Farm income increases in almost all regions and farm types. The situation of viticulture remains difficult despite an improvement for appellation wines.
In 2005, the Common Agricultural Policy grants 945 euros per hectare to field crops in the /Camargue/ and 550 in the /Landes/, for a national average of 355 euros per hectare. "Reference" yields and yearly crop rotations explain these differences.
Because of lack of precipitation, farmers of irrigated maize increase water doses, while reducing acreage. The conditions of access to water sources determine the profitability of the irrigation.
In 2004, households consume each day an average of 165 litres per inhabitant, paid at an average price of 3 Euros per cubic metre. There is a great disparity between communes (local administrative areas).
Innovations are introduced mainly by major firms in the argi-food sector. They aim principally to conquer new markets and to expand product ranges.
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation