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Should we expect cascading bankruptcies in the food industry by the end of the year? The sector is sounding the alarm bells as costs are soaring. There are those of energy, but also those of raw materials and packaging.
In a bakery in Armentières (North), a customer is moved to tears after the announcement of the upcoming closure of the store. Despite their efforts, it is impossible for Delphine billaut and her husband to face the rise of nearly 40% of their energy bill. After 11 years of service, Pascal billaut is about to turn the page. “It’s our baby that we’ve been carrying for 11 years, and then given the inflation, given everything we’re told, we decide to close so as not to dive”he testifies.
In Saint Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis)a small organic fruit juice company, has no plans to close, but concerns are growing. Here, all expenses have increased, starting with packaging. Added to this is the rise in the price of cardboard and gas. The prices of certain raw materials, such as raspberries, have also exploded. For six months, the company absorbed rising production costs. But, faced with galloping inflation, it discontinued two products and had to increase its prices. With its 360,000 employees, the entire agri-food sector fears the new planned increases.