December 3, 2010

French farm costs increase due to animal feed

French farm-production costs climbed 5.3% in October due to higher expenses for energy, fertiliser and animal feed, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

An index of agricultural-input costs rose to 118.7 points in October from 112.8 points a year earlier, the ministry's statistics department said.

Animal feed makes up about 25% of the index and the measure for feeding costs added 6.8% to 120.9 points, the report shows. The gauge for energy and lubricants, which accounts for 11% of overall costs, advanced 24% to 128.5 points, while the index for fertiliser prices rose 6% to 134.7 points.

Production costs for livestock and dairy producers gained 5.4% in October, while growers of commodity crops experienced a 4.1% rise in expenses, the ministry said.