Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation
The variability of farm incomes is confirmed. The strong growth in average income for professional farms in 2010, estimated at 66%, follows two years of accrued declines of 46% between 2007 and 2009. In sum 2010 income remains lower than that of 2007. Subsidies, particularly those for the CAP health report, help sustain the revenues of livestock breeders.
For the second consecutive year, energy consumption by agri-food industries shows a marked decline in 2009, in a context of economic recession. The prices of most energy sources other than electricity, have been reduced noticeably. Thus energy costs have decreased even more strongly.
In 2009, in the context of economic recession, agri-food industries reduced their investments in measures to protect the environment. Those aimed at air quality and greenhouse gas reduction declined noticeably. Water treatment remains the priority.
Confronted with environmental problems, swine breeders have adopted procedures and techniques that limit the run-off of waste material into the external environment. Outside manure pits for effluent storage are larger and of better quality than 10 years ago.
Distribution of farm income varies widely : in 2008, 16% of farms are in deficit. Among those making a profit, half of the farms, with the smallest revenues, share only 17% of total farm income, whereas 18% of farms receive 50%. The wide fluctuations in income over the last few years are clearly accompanied by increasing disparities.
Farmland still accounts for more than half of the territory. An average of 93,000 hectares are lost over the last three years. More than one-third is covered by lands classed as natural. Among them, forested areas, which had been spreading for a long time, do not seem to be expanding. Thus, developed land progresses and now reaches 9%.
In 2008 agri-food industries produced 1,146,000 tonnes of common waste products, mostly mixed wastes, as well as 2,654,000 tonnes of sludge and 805,000 tonnes of organic waste. These industries are the principal industrial activities that generate sludge and organic waste products.
Goat breeding is mostly concentrated in five regions.
Between 2001 and 2008, the size of herds and milk productivity increased significantly. Production of goat milk products on farms decreased. More than one-fourth of the goat milk produced in 2008 meets certified origin (AOC) requirements.
Agri-food industries that employ ten or more workers are increasingly equipped with information and communication technologies. Almost all firms are connected to the Internet. The most advanced ICT’s are limited to large firms. However everywhere the use of these technologies gives priority to the clients.
The substantial reductions in general cropping and dairy farms affect nearly all regions. But there are disparities among regions for a same type of farm.
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation