Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation
Almost 40% of farmers who took up a professional farm had worked outside of agriculture before. This proportion more than doubled in 20 years.
In 2001, more than 6 out of 10 hectares of soft wheat benefitted from an adjustment of nitrogen dosage during the growing period. The practice of adding nitrogen in three or more fertilisations is increasing and concerns 70% of acreage.
The current pre-tax income of farms in the RICA survey fell in real terms by 4.3% in 2003. It had risen by 1.9% in 2002.
To obtain higher income per hectare or to win new customers, wine growers use part of their vines that benefit from quality appellations to produce less prestigious regional wines. In 2000 they forego 10% of the appellation harvest.
Average farm income falls by 3.7% for all farms, which is explained by weaker prices or higher production costs.
Slightly more than half of agri-food firms have special links with other firms in all types of other sectors. Characteristic of large structures, these relationships sometimes account for a vital part of their business.
Current pre-tax turnover for the farms participating in the RICA accounting network rises 1.9% in real terms in 2002. It had fallen by 5.6% in 2001. Farmers keep a larger share of their profits for themselves.
Since the year 2000 the animal feed industry has been developing soja cattle cakes in replacement of animal-based meal products. Consequently to theAgenda 2000, cereals have been preferred to oilseed and protein crop products.
Food processing firms spend an average of 7.9% of their turnover on advertising in 2002, and large firms an even larger percentage. The drinks industry advertises most often.
For several years, wine consumption on the French market has levelled off. Exports are no longer sufficient to ensure the success of wines with labels of origin.
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation