“We feed France, we’re fed up!” About fifty farmers, market gardeners, breeders gathered at the call of the Confédération Paysanne des Hauts-de-France this Wednesday, June 8 in front of the Carrefour d’Amiens Nord to denounce non-remunerative purchase priceswhile sales prices in supermarkets have soared in recent months.
“The clearance sale is over”
While purchasing power continues to decline, due to the war in Ukraine in particular, farmers denounce the margins of supermarkets on the sale of their products. “Since October, the average shopping cart has increased by 15%, but the peasants have not touched this 15%, and are sometimes paid less than before” explains Vincent Chombard, spokesperson for the Confédération Paysanne in the Somme.
This is explained by the fact that quality products, local and/or organic, are sold at a higher price, due to the increase in energy. “But consumers can no longer afford to buy them, so the volumes are not sold. So the supermarkets reduce the call price, and in the end, the producer is paid less”. But, emphasizes Vincent Chombart, the margins of supermarkets remain high.
– Mary Dorcet
The purpose of this Wednesday’s mobilization is therefore to sell the products without an intermediary, to alert consumers to the true selling prices of the products. Some groups also entered the store to put up stickers “The clearance sale is over” or “Bio sale = misery” on certain products. “Organic courgettes are bought for 70 cents from the producer, and there they are sold for €2.69” points out Vincent Delmas, organic market gardener in the Drôme and member of the union’s national secretariat.
Concern for succession
Marie-Paule, a farmer in organic farming, is angry: “When we count the seed, wages, storage, transport, and we look at what is left for the producer, he has nothing left, or so little that it is shameful”. At 61, she still has to work until at least 65 years old, to receive 500 euros in retirement. And she is especially worried about the continuation of the farms, because the little or even non-profitable farms are struggling to find takers. “If a farmer does not earn money, he will not find successors, we will not be able to pass on non-viable businesses” sorry Vincent Chombart. “If we want the number of farmers to be high, and for the products to continue to be made nearby, the number of farms must remain high… and therefore they must be profitable!”
– Mary Dorcet