Agricultural crisis: the Var corn sector at the heart of Mercosur issues

2024-11-16 07:15:00

Corn is the most consumed cereal in the world. Its purpose is of course human and animal, but also industrial (biodegradable plastic, etc.) and energy (corn starch is used in the composition of ethanol).

So many points that Mathieu Hugues highlights when talking about his job and how he is impacted by this much-maligned Mercosur…

Polycultivator at the Adret estate which has 150ha, he has adopted the formula of the “elders” of not putting all his eggs in one basket.

A Riansit thus combines lavandin, sunflower, vines and durum wheat (intended for Panzani Marseille), but the bulk of its turnover lies in seed corn, a specialty of which France is the leading producer in Europe (just like corn grains) and the world’s leading exporter, Provence being one of the spearheads of the “national granary” with optimum productivity.

Le Var, a major European seeder

“My production is 250 doses per hectare. One dose represents a 15-20 kilo bag containing some 100,000 seeds. With this I participate in the sowing of around 10,000ha per year across Europe where I sells 90% of my production On the Var scale, we are ten producers, which represents a total sowing of 40,000ha If tomorrow we import a million tonnes of grain corn from Latin America, obviously the production will be revised. the decline here and by ricochet effect, there will be fewer purchases of seeds… Likewise, if we import more poultry and red meat, animal consumption of corn in France will fall…”he explains, wearing his hat as president of the sector (1).

Mathieu Hugues is not stubborn, however.

“Free trade agreements certainly, but let the rules of the game be the same for everyone! Why should Brazil have the right to use phytosanitary products which are banned here? Do the French want to eat GMOs? Are we going to kill clean agriculture?” he asks in succession as he prepares to go to the Corn Congress organized this week in Pau with a necessarily topical agenda.

A powerful depolluter

“It’s quite little known but corn is an equatorial plant from Mexico which uses little water resources compared to the quantity of dry matter produced. We have 450m3 of water for one tonne compared to respectively 600m3 for wheat and 800m3 for soya. Other advantages, it consumes few inputs and contributes to the decarbonization of the atmosphere since one hectare consumes 20t of CO2.recalls Mathieu Hugues.

If the subject were not so serious, this last mention might make you smile, while one of the challenges of Mercosur is the export of our thermal vehicles to South American countries…

1_ Mathieu Hugues is president of SPSMS Provence (Union of Corn and Sorghum Seed Producers which brings together five departments) and administrator AGPM FRANCE (General Association of Corn Producers France).

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What specific challenges do local corn producers in France face due to increased competition from Mercosur countries?

**Interview with Mathieu Hugues: The Impact‌ of ​Mercosur on Corn ⁢Production in France**

**Editor:** Thank you for joining us ⁢today, Mathieu. As a polycultivator and ‍president of the corn production sector, ​you have a unique perspective on the effects of free trade agreements like Mercosur. Can you start by explaining‍ why corn is such a crucial crop for both human and industrial use?

**Mathieu Hugues:** Absolutely. Corn is the most consumed cereal‍ globally, not just for food but⁣ also for animal feed, industrial applications ⁢like biodegradable plastics, and energy production—ethanol⁣ being a significant example. This versatility is what makes it vital⁣ to our economy ‍and food systems.

**Editor:** ​You⁣ mentioned ‌that you’re in a ‌region of France ‍that’s​ significant for corn production. How do the varieties you ‌grow contribute⁣ to the overall agricultural⁣ landscape​ in Europe?

**Mathieu ‍Hugues:** Here ⁢in ⁣Provence, we’re fortunate to have an ‍optimal ⁣climate and soil⁢ conditions for corn production. My estate,​ the Adret, spans 150 hectares, and although I​ diversify my⁣ crops—lavandin,⁤ sunflower, vines, and durum wheat—seed corn is our standout product. France leads Europe in seed corn production and is the top exporter globally.

**Editor:** That’s impressive. You mentioned earlier that you produce 250⁣ doses per hectare, largely for export. How do changes in imports, particularly from Latin America, ⁤potentially affect your business?

**Mathieu Hugues:** That’s a critical point. ‌My production supports ‌the sowing of about 10,000 hectares annually across ⁢Europe, mainly for export. If we start importing large ⁢quantities of⁣ grain corn from Latin America, it could lead to a significant decline in local production, which, in ‌turn, would mean diminished seed purchases from us. Plus,​ if we import more poultry⁢ and⁢ red meat, ⁤the overall consumption of corn in France could decline.

**Editor:** ‍So, it seems that free trade⁣ agreements like Mercosur could have far-reaching consequences for local producers. What⁣ do you believe is important for ensuring fairness in global trade?

**Mathieu Hugues:** It’s essential that ‍any free trade agreements maintain consistent rules for all parties involved. ​If we’re competing on an uneven playing field—like differing regulatory⁢ standards ⁢or ⁤support systems—it could undermine local ‌producers who ‌are committed to high-quality, sustainable practices.

**Editor:** Thank you, Mathieu, for sharing your insights on this​ crucial issue. ⁣It’s clear that the intersection of global trade and⁣ local agriculture is more complicated than it seems, and it will be interesting to see how these agreements develop ⁣in the future.

**Mathieu Hugues:** ‍Thank you for having me. It’s an important dialogue, and I’m⁤ eager to see‍ how we can align international trade practices to support local farmers effectively.