
Ministère de l'agriculture, de l'alimentation, de la pêche, de la ruralité et de l'aménagement du territoire
Although energy consumption in the agro-food industry and saw mills decreased the two years previous, it increased significantly between 2009 and 2010 to reach 5.3 million tons oil equivalent (toe). The purchase price of energy is on the whole on the increase, notably concerning diesel and butane and propane.
In 2008, only one third of poultry farmers drew their main income from poultry production. These specialised farms are more or less common depending on the type of production and the region. They share common characteristics such as larger poultry barns, women more often at their head, a more frequent individual farm status and a stronger involvement in short supply chains.
After a strong recovery in 2010, the average agricultural income per person actively employed stood around 30 200 euros in 2011. In spite of good price stability and a dynamic activity, the increase in production costs penalized income from both plant and animal production.
Overseas farms make up for 34,200 full-time jobs for 24,800 farms in the Antilles, Guyana and Reunion departments and 13,400 in Mayotte for 15,700 farms. There are still lots of small farms in Guadeloupe and Reunion. There is more farming land in Martinique. In Guyana, the number of small food-producing farms has increased in proportion to demographic growth, particularly inland and along the rivers.
Farm employment held mostly by family members
Over the period 2006-2008, 61% ofagro- food businesses of ten or more employees made innovations. Two out of three innovations had a positive effect on the environment both during the production process and at the consumer end.
n 2010, milk collection recovered compared to 2009 despite the steady decline in suppliers. Organic products expanded again taking market shares away from conventional products. Cheese production was higher than in 2009 and the sales of fresh products bounced back positively.
Meat and beverages account for more than 40% of French food products. Dairy products registered a share of about 15% as did processed dairy products (confectionary, chocolate, ready-made meals). France’s contribution to food products in Europe is 16%.
The price of arable land and natural grassland depend, in the short term, on tensions on the agricultural land market but also, structurally, on the characteristics of the land. Farmers remain majority buyers but face competition on the free meadow and land market.
In 2009, French dairies produced 176,700 tons of raw milk cheese representing an annual increase of almost 4% even though the overall cheese making industry showed a 2% set back. Raw milk cheese, which is 15% of the total production of cheese and essentially produced in the Franche-Comté, Rhône-Alpes and Midi-Pyrenees areas holds, for the most part, an AOC (protected designation of origin).
Farming revenue increased almost all over from an average 11,300 euro per farm worker in 2009 to 24,300 euros in 2010. But the mid-term outlook remains negative.

Ministère de l'agriculture, de l'alimentation, de la pêche, de la ruralité et de l'aménagement du territoire