November 10, 2005

France worries about rail disruptions'impact on grains
 

Concern over the impact of disruptions at France's national railway Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer has led the state grains board to look at shipping and road alternatives, it said Wednesday.

The Office National Interprofessionnel des Cereales, or ONIC, said it is now using more boats and trucks to transport French grains. It is also planning to hold talks with management of SNCF, ONIC added.

There has been widespread disruption in France this year following a series of strikes by the unions representing train workers. A further strike has been called for Nov 21 to protest at what train workers see as preparations to privatise SNCF.

The country's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin however maintains that a sell-off of the state railway is not on the agenda.

France is already facing a competitive grains export market from the Black Sea but has recently faced an aggressive push in marketing by Australia and the US, ONIC said.

Earlier Wednesday, ONIC reduced estimates for French soft wheat exports within the EU to 8.65 million tonnes, down from last month's initial forecast of 8.75 million. This was also below the November 2004-05 export estimate of 8.73 million tonnes.