Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation
For private owners, forests are more of an investment than an economic activity. Most of them own only small plots which they keep for many years.
Changes in Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy cause a reduction in areas planted in oleoproteaginous seeds. A 5 % increase in the maize harvest, despite the unfavorable weather conditions, which also affect soft wheat, peas and beets. Barley production is up by 4 %.
With its rape, sunflower, peas and soya, French agriculture represents the principal source of vegetable proteins for concentrated farm animal feed. But in 2000, these crops decline throughout the European Union.
European agriculture does not produce even a third of the proteins that it uses in concentrated animal feed. The shortfall in France is smaller than those of the other member states of the European Union. Import costs vary widely with the prices for soya from the United States.
A 4.4 % decrease in real current pre-tax income for the farms in the FADN in 1999. Private levies, the money withdrawn by the farmer himself, are up, but the financial balance is maintained.
Nearly stable in 2000 on average for the year, agricultural income seems to be down among grain producers and up among livestock breeders, in spite of the "mad cow" crisis. These changes can be explained principally by the implementation of the Agenda 2000 scheme.
The manufacture of goat cheeses increases by 10 % despite the stabilisation of milk collection. The market for matured "pure goat" cheeses continues to grow.
Stable levels of production of sheep milk in 1999. While roquefort markets have stagnated, production of feta and other cheeses are opening new markets to stockbreeders
Decreases in production of soft raw-milk cheeses or uncooked pressed-curd cheeses from 1997 to 1999. On the other hand, the making of cooked pressed-curd cheeses continues to increase.
French farming has been growing for the past 20 years mainly as a result of the dynamism of its plant produce. Wine and cereals are the pivotal products. The latest issue in the « GraphAgri » series, devoted to farming and agriculture, overviews the various aspects of this sector.
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation