supermarket fruit

Written contracts between fruit and vegetable producers and buyers in France became compulsory this week from 1 March.

The contracts will include the length of the deal, the volumes agreed upon, the characteristics of the products and details on the collection or delivery method.

The goal of such contracts is to reduce price volatility and to make it easier for growers to predict their medium- and long-term revenues.

According to the French ministry of agriculture, these contracts, which will have a minimum length of three years, will equally 'give transformers and distributors better visibility over their supplies'.

A further decree is expected to be made to install a contract mediator responsible for intervening in cases of litigation.