Seems that the milk price is a universal discussion among dairy producers. French dairymen are feeling the sting of a low price too.
Milk producers in France have used an industry meeting to call for higher farmgate prices and again condemn cuts over the last five years, revealing ongoing tension between farmers and dairy firms in the EU.
Representatives from France’s farming union, Confederation Paysanne, told members of the national dairy industry body that milk price cuts had chopped 30,000 producers out of the industry in the last five years. The move reveals ongoing tension in France’s dairy industry, similar to that seen in the UK and other states over the amount of money passed down the supply chain.
Average milk prices paid to French producers have fallen €0.5 over the last five years, the biggest drop across the 15 pre-accession European Union nations. The shock has hit French milk producers hard because they were Europe’s highest paid.
It has prompted fighting talk from some. “If the government wants to declare war on farmers, we will rise to the challenge and we will continue to victory,” said Jean-Emile Sanchez in Montpellier, one of those convicted in the Lactalis break-in.
Milk prices are expected to rise slightly over the next couple of months thanks to more favourable market conditions, namely higher demand.