(AOF) – Graines Voltz’s turnover for the 2021/2022 financial year amounted to 132.2 million euros, up 8.1% compared to the previous financial year. Excluding the non-strategic subsidiaries around the Mediterranean (Morocco, Algeria and Turkey), turnover for the financial year amounted to 126.1 million euros, up 10.9% compared to the previous financial year. . Turnover increased by 9.1% in France and by 14.4% in other European countries. On a like-for-like basis, business grew by 1.09% within the strategic scope.
In terms of products on this same scope, young plants recorded an increase of 21.3%, while seeds were down 4.3% compared to the previous year. Seed demand was more sensitive to the heat wave and the arbitrage effects following the war in Ukraine.
The mixed seed/seedling development strategy has enabled the group to diversify its markets by strengthening its resilience.
Regarding its outlook, Graines Voltz explains that it is difficult to set an activity target for the current financial year given the instability that remains on the markets due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its consequences. economic. Nevertheless, and assuming that the economic and geopolitical situation does not deteriorate further, the group still considers as possible the hypothesis of growth, at current scope, of 5 to 10% in 2022/2023.
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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.