French produce

In France, written contracts between fruit and vegetable producers and buyers will become obligatory from 1 March.

The aim of such contracts is to reduce price volatility and increase a farmer's ability to predict his medium- and long-term revenues.

According to the 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 will be made in the coming weeks to install a contract mediator responsible for intervening in cases of litigation.