At a press conference held on July 19, Christophe Terrain, the President of France’s General Association of Maize Growers [AGPM - Association Générale des Producteurs de Maïs], made the following observation:
“Maize has asserted its position as leader on the world grain market, with uses increasing for animal feed, human consumption and industrial purposes.  Current grain prices are mainly linked to the shortfall in world production over past years, mostly caused by weather events in different parts of the world.
“Certain ideas still circulating need to be cleared up:  European production of biofuel is not the cause of the increase in grain prices in Europe, where, in 2006, ethanol accounted for only 1.3% of grain production.” 

  Current prices also need to be seen in relation to the value of the euro and should be compared on a like-for-like basis, calculating the margin for maize producers and factoring in the increase in charges paid, i.e. energy, transportation, labour and inputs, and in particular seed, as seed prices will be increasing.
 
Christophe Terrain stressed that “the price will have only a minimal impact on the cost of finished products for consumers.”
 
French producers wish to have the means of production required to respond to demand for maize, i.e. effective crop protection, GMOs and irrigation, so that they can produce at a competitive level, generate profit and work in an environmentally friendly way.
 
Contact : Béatrice GUENEBEAUD –  Tel : 01 47 23 48 32
E-mail : beatrice.guenebeaud@agpm.com