Browsing the Moselle markets is beginning to have an increasingly high cost for itinerant traders. So much so that some plan to increase their selling price to absorb the surge in fuel prices, which is accelerating with the war in Ukraine.
The Moselle markets are not immune to the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Itinerant traders are beginning to feel the effects. First on fuel prices, then on the entire production chain. France Blue Lorraine went to meet them on the Avenue de Nancy market in Metz.
Up to 160 kilometers of road per day
Her crates of fruit and vegetables piled up on trestles, Lucie leans on her van. The vehicle is one of his main working tools. It allows it to be present in many markets across the Moselle. “I do almost a day between 150 and 160 kilometers. I am well at 80 euros per week in diesel“, figures the shopkeeper.
“We have nothing to do with this war” – Lucie, scoop in Montigny-les-Metz
In the alley of the market, the other traders share the same observation: the rise in fuel prices will have an impact on their customers. “We will have to increase by 10 to 15%“, judge Frédéric, behind the counter of his mobile butcher and charcuterie. Coming from Rémilly, he assures that he has no other choice: “Gas costs us a blind, electricity the same, after a while we won’t be able to hold on.“
The entire production chain impacted
The increase in fuel prices affects all sectors. “Farmers use fuels, so wheat is more and more expensive to leave. It will become more and more complicated for livestock feed“, warns Frédéric, who currently sells pork between 10 to 12 euros per kilo. This could go up”around 14 to 15 euros per kilo“, says the butcher.
Faced with the situation, Lucie asks the government a new boost : “I hope that the State will take charge of this situation because… What is the point of giving us a bonus of 100 euros, when the fuel increases from one to two? One “resilience plan“is in preparation. He would understand”additional measures on gasoline“, specified Thursday March 10 the Prime Minister, before adding: “All companies that have contracts with Russia, whose supplies depend on raw materials manufactured or sourced from Russia, aluminum, titanium… the more they are exposed, the higher the compensation will be.”