Relations between wholesalers and their clients can sometimes be quite tricky. We observers of the day-to-day life of the fresh produce industry have long ago learned to recognise the signs of impending hope, anger or frustration.

In January, the almighty FCD, the union of France’s biggest retailers, organised its traditional New Year’s ceremony. FCD president Jérôme Bédier gave the assembled crowd his best wishes, but expressed concern about a move from Brussels that might lead to the empowerment of ‘interprofessions’ - bodies that gather together all elements of an industry, as Interfel does for fresh produce in France - in the issue of price setting.

Bédier argued that this empowerment would lead to a lowest-price situation as, to his mind, discussing the price topic has never been on the Interfel agenda. It is no secret that the upstream part of the fruit and veg world in France still dreams of having some leverage concerning the prices consumers pay. In this field, the retailers’ point of view could be in sync with the wholesalers, who have never appreciated any kind of ‘legal chains’ when it comes down to pricing. Could this be the sign of a sacred union between the two sides? It is too early to say, but it will be interesting to witness.

Distributing free fruit in schools is a good idea, and one at which agriculture minister Michel Barnier and his team in charge of ‘accessibility’ are working hard to fulfil. The aim is to provide young French people with at least one piece of fresh fruit a week. All very well, you might say.

But the Interfel president recently voiced concerns about the plan - giving fruit for free, he argued, might mean less money for the professionals. What is important to consider is who will be in charge of the logistical aspects, and therefore who will provide the fruit - and who will get paid? Does this point to a straining of the relationship between Interfel and the Rue de Varenne (where the ministry is located)? Nothing new there then.

Finally, during the presentation of an agreement between Interfel and the hospitality caterers’ union, the former but still active president of the latter organisation said he would prefer the price between a canteen manager and his provider to be based on the wholesale price lists, instead of the National Market Service list. At a time when the government is looking for a way to reform this latter service - despite its competency - could this be an indication of its demise? That would be a surprise: individual views of the system aside, a canteen manager in Provence will always need a price guideline for his purchases, just as his colleague in the north does; and it is the job of a national official body to give it.