agreste

Agreste cahiers n° 1 - mars 2000

The economic size of ongoing farms increased by an average of 11 % between 1990 and 1997.

The economic size of ongoing farms increased by an average of 11 % between 1990 and 1997.The economic size of ongoing farms increased by an average of 11 % between 1990 and 1997. A number of farms went out of business between 1991 and 1997, and jobs were lost in the sector. Production, up 18 %, was progressively concentrated in the hands of large private commercial units ; there are also small associative structures. The difficulties encountered by the industry these last few years intensified restructuring. Producers are confronted with competition from Norwegian and Scottish salmon, and with commercial pressure from wholesalers and supermarkets. They adapted to lower trout prices. Producers installed slaughtering facilities and now do their own cutting and processing in order to offer more elaborate products. By becoming certified, they hope to draw commercial advantage from upgraded breeding practices : better waste treatment, density controls, and reinforced health safety. Some farms are beginning to raise other species (roach, carp, sturgeon, pike), often destined to re-stock rivers or for leisure fishing, markets that are more profitable than the consumption market.