September 13, 2012

France's turkey production increase 2.2%

France's turkey production rises 2.2% with imports at a 3% increase.

"It is a growth, indeed, but only from a very small volume" offered Gilles Le Pottier, CIDEF general secretary (inter-professional committee of turkey) during Space, livestock exhibition in Rennes (France).

Production reached 208,000 tonnes and imports are only at 22,000 tonnes during the first half of this year. Historically a major turkey exporter, France is at the moment experiencing a reverse situation.

"First, the trend towards heaviness of turkeys is strong with an increase of 7% in weight. We adapt feed to this new pattern" said le Pottier. "And we are, collectively, thinking about a new farming model. Size of farm, age of farm houses, young farmers installations, test of efficient building design… are all key points to providing competitive production in front of our main competitors who are also European: Germany and Poland".

The rising price of raw materials, even if it is a similar situation everywhere is of course also a big concern. "But we see that turkey has great opportunities : it is still one of the cheapest animal proteins, it is accepted by every religion, and collective catering is found of it" said le Pottier.