(AOF) – The Bonduelle group announces the appointment of Xavier Unkovic to the general management of the Group. This appointment will take effect on June 1, 2023. Until that date, general management will be provided by Christophe Bonduelle, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Xavier Unkovic notably led the Beverages branch of the Mars group from 2010 for North America, then for the world from 2013. which markets a range of organic prepared meals.
Since 2021, Xavier Unkovic has been the CEO of the French company NAOS, a major player in skin care and health, under the Bioderma, Institut Esthederm and Etat Pur brands.
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Find out more about the Agrifood sector
Soaring energy prices and a call for help
In the past, energy represented a fixed cost of 3% of turnover. This year, this percentage rises to 5% or even 7% for VSEs-SMEs, according to Ania (National Association of Food Industries). Professionals are very worried because until the end of 2022 they generally benefit from coverage to cushion these increases. However, they have not been renewed for 2023 and after. Consequently, 25 of the main inter-professional organizations (Intercereals, Inaporc, Semae, etc.) are calling on the State for help in the face of the erosion of their margins and their capacity to investment.
The State has proposed several devices, including an “electricity damper”, which are deemed insufficient. The organizations also deplore the failure of European negotiations to achieve a tariff shield to avoid distortions of competition. Agriculture and agri-food require a maximum ceiling price of €180/MWh, while many companies buy at prices above €500/MWh on the French market.