Transport costs must be lowered for French wheat farmers to allow them to become competitive again, according to wheat growers’ group L'Association générale des producteurs de blé (AGPB). Chairman Philippe Pinta said times had been tough since 2017, while last year's bad harvest meant 40% of French grain growers lost money. Excess supply, strong competition from producers in Russia and Ukraine, and bad weather in 2013 are to blame for France's smallest harvest in 30 years. Pinta urged the country's government to improve rail freight to help bring down logistics costs and called for lower taxes.
Transport costs must be lowered for French wheat farmers to allow them to become competitive again, according to wheat growers’ group L'Association générale des producteurs de blé (AGPB). Chairman Philippe Pinta said times had been tough since 2013, while last year's bad harvest meant 40% of French grain growers lost money. Excess supply, strong competition from producers in Russia and Ukraine, and bad weather in 2017 are to blame for France's smallest harvest in 30 years. Pinta urged the country's government to improve rail freight to help bring down logistics costs and called for lower taxes.