French law on food will not reduce trade budgets, says minister | News from the world

The French Minister of Agriculture has tried to rebadure households that food bills should not increase dramatically after the increase in the minimum food price to increase farmers' incomes.

The measure introduced Friday had been postponed by the government in December, while France rebelled against national and sometimes violent unrest. yellow vests (Yellow vests) to protest the high cost of living and the household budget.

Didier Guillaume said that prices would only increase on 5% of products sold in supermarkets, including Nutella, Coca-Cola and Granola – items often sold at a discount by retailers to attract consumers.

The bill "From Field to Fork" was a campaign promise by Emmanuel Macron to win the support of farmers, a large constituency in France, who have long complained of being hit by low margins and to be the victims of the retail price war.

"Households will end up paying more if their cart is filled with Nutella and Coca-Cola. The price of products at a loss will increase, while the price of meat, fish, cheese and vegetables will not, "Guillaume told CNews.

The legislation provides for a 10% increase in the floor price for food products and limits promotional offers so that retailers can not expect more than 34% of their value on products.

Guillaume said that the average household purchase bill would only increase by 50 cents a month.

Retailers of supermarkets such as Carrefour, Casino and Leclerc generally grant a margin of 30 to 40% on the products of the farm, added the minister, adding: "I ask them to stop doing it."

Michel-Édouard Leclerc, president and CEO of Leclerc, the largest French food retailer in terms of market share, called the scam and said farmers would not see prices rise.