This week, while the rulers of the world were meeting in London, the association of French fruit and vegetable greengrocers held its annual general meeting in sunny Morocco. Although your man in Rungis did not have the opportunity to join them on their travels, he did manage to gather some of the buzz from the discussions.

And things do not sound good for the greengrocers’ long-standing partners - the wholesalers. The mild weather in Marrakech seems to have done nothing to help cool down the anger that sparked some weeks ago surrounding commercial relations between the two elements of the downstream industry.

The reasons for this anger have not changed. The greengrocers largely feel that they are trapped, with little opportunity to seek alternative sources of supply. This is not entirely true - after all, no one forbids retailers from making direct contact with producers. This is a free market.

But, in all honesty, can you imagine a fruit-growing giant in the south of the country taking on a contract to provide a handful of pallets for a retailer in northern France, while at the same time struggling to cope with the increased cost of transport or defending market shares on the export side of the business? Of course, the retailers could club together to present a stronger buying power, which might be a more appealing prospect for producers. But can they be sure it will be strong enough when they come up against the fat cats of French retail?

The Italian example is often cited. But the situation in Italy is quite different, as there are thousands of small greengrocers, and this is not the case in France.

During their annual meeting in Venice two weeks ago, French wholesalers acknowledged that there was a problem. In his address to delegates, president Bernard Piton underlined how retailers are challenging the world of wholesale. But the people in the know said that meetings between the two sides have not yet been fruitful.

Meanwhile, back on Rungis soil, French minister of agriculture Michel Barnier exposed his plan to boost the French agricultural industry through 10 main aims.

Among them were ideas for research into new fruit and vegetable varieties and the development of ready-to-eat food - suggestions that could offer ways to maybe build a winning strategic offer. Sadly, there was a distinct lack of wholesalers and retailers in attendance at the presentation.