France news — Vesper

Bird flu reaches Dutch layer farms while egg prices stall

Avian influenza reached commercial laying hens in the Netherlands, yet Europe's egg prices stayed flat and only organic and free-range supply is short.

EU sugar stocks may be 500,000 tonnes higher than reported

Sugar imported under Inward Processing is missing from EU stock figures, and the gap may add at least 500,000 tonnes while the beet crop keeps disappointing.

Euronext wheat falls on Black Sea deal talk while corn climbs

Euronext wheat fell about 8% in two weeks on talk of a Black Sea deal, while Euronext corn rose as MARS cut its EU corn yield forecast again.

Lula's win knocked Brazil's currency, and sugar went with it

The real posted its biggest drawdown since 1999 after Lula's re-election, pulling raw sugar nearly 5% lower in a single session with fund length already high.

Middle East oil is flowing again at five times the freight cost

Middle East oil exports are back at pre-war volumes, but a barrel shipped from the Gulf to Asia now costs more than five times what it did before the conflict.

Germany's beet crop comes in a quarter smaller than last season

WVZ now puts German sugar output about 25% below last season, and France is worse, with growers facing a compensation system that mostly will not pay.

Europe's egg market waits for its autumn lift, with organic still short

European egg prices have barely moved in two weeks and the usual October lift is late, while organic, free-range and extra-large eggs stay hard to find.

France's corn crop is the smallest on record and Euronext noticed

France cut its 2026 corn forecast to the lowest level in ministry records going back to 1980, and Euronext corn jumped to new highs on the back of it.

Europe's short sugar crop puts imports to the test

EU sugar output is set to fall close to 20% and only a fraction of eligible imports would arrive. See where white sugar prices head in our free Q4 outlook.

EU sugar prices stay sticky while France's campaign runs short

France's beet campaign is now estimated at 97 days against a 122-day average, yet EU sugar values have barely reacted. Here are the reasons on the table.

European egg prices firm up as the baking season approaches

European egg prices are firming as demand returns and supply lags. See where organic, free range and caged eggs head into 2027 in our free Q4 outlook.

European pig prices break lower after a strong year

German and Dutch pig prices fell about 10% in a month on oversupply. See where European pork prices head in our free Meat & Poultry Q4 outlook.

Wheat holds a Black Sea premium into the fourth quarter

Euronext wheat is 31.8% above a year ago with the Black Sea still not shipping normally. See our wheat outlook to Q3 2027 in the free Grains Q4 report.

Black Sea deal hopes pull wheat lower, though a deal looks unlikely

Euronext milling wheat fell to €236/mt as talks on safe Black Sea grain shipping gathered pace, but the parties remain far apart and attacks on ports continue.

Brazil's rains trim this season's sugar and may pad the next

Heavy rain has cut Brazil's sugar output and could leave a record volume of cane in the fields for 2027/28, while drought in India weakens its export outlook.

Poland stays the swing factor as EU chicken heads into autumn

EU chicken output is growing but has turned more volatile, with Polish production down about 20% in July, while bird flu and Newcastle disease stay contained.

US eggs turn higher while Europe's rally pauses

US caged white egg prices rose 30.6% in two weeks on stronger demand, while European gains narrowed as record imports cap the caged end of the market.

EU poultry prices pull back as bird migration starts

European poultry output is running 4.4% ahead of last year and prices have come off their 2026 highs, just as the autumn bird migration season begins.

Europe's sugar import gap is wider than the quotas can fill

Only about 766,000 tonnes of the EU's 2.4 million tonnes of eligible sugar import volume is likely to arrive at current prices, leaving a real shortfall.

France's corn crop hits a record low condition rating

Only 23% of the French corn crop is rated good or excellent, the lowest in FranceAgriMer's records, while grain prices drifted lower on Black Sea hopes.

Summer heat leaves Europe short of free range eggs

Organic and free range eggs are scarce on European spot markets after the June and July heat waves, while the US wholesale market has found a floor.

Western Europe's cartonboard demand gives back May's gain

Apparent cartonboard demand in Western Europe fell 8% in June after an above-trend May, while North America grew 3% and Asian demand rose 14% again.

October white sugar delivery lands at a third of last year's

Under 500,000 tonnes were delivered against October London white sugar, against over 1.5 million a year ago, while funds built their largest long since 2023.

Europe enters winter with gas storage 16 points below normal

European gas storage sits at 68% against an 84% seasonal average, TTF is at three-year highs and the ECB has hiked again. What that means into winter.

Malaysian palm stocks climb 7.5% while Q4 supply looks thinner

August MPOB data put Malaysian palm stocks up 7.5% at 2.82 mmt and BMD prices eased, but the Q4 view is tighter. Rapeseed sowing is the nearer European risk.

One beet belt, two harvests: EU sugar pricing turns uneven

France may lift 65 to 70 tonnes of beet a hectare against 90 last season, while Belgian yields hold near 90. Some producers have pulled their offers.

Black Sea deadlock lifts wheat, corn and barley

MATIF wheat and corn climbed again as Black Sea talks stalled and Egypt's wheat arrivals fell 75% year-on-year. Vesper's Q3 view stays sideways to up.

Europe's certified eggs are being reserved for the shelf

European egg prices have risen for a fourth week, with barn eggs up 7.2% in a fortnight, and processors are the first buyers being crowded out.

India's duty-free sugar imports lose their appeal

India approved 1 MMT of duty-free raw sugar imports, but mills may take only half of it. EU output is set to fall almost 20% as drought hits beet yields.

Butter surplus grows while dairy protein markets tighten

Butter is piling up across Europe, the US and New Zealand while SMP tightens on strong demand, pulling dairy markets in two very different directions.

Europe's beet crop drought pushes buyers toward imports

Drought has left Europe's beet crop unrecoverable in places, and Vesper estimates the EU and UK may need 3.4 million tonnes of sugar imports this season.

Europe's egg prices turn higher while the US market cools

European egg prices are rising into autumn restocking while US wholesale prices fall as supply rebuilds, with Polish disease losses tightening Europe's flock.

Brent's rebound lifts palm and soybean oil as Europe bakes

Brent crude's rebound to around $87 a barrel is lifting palm and soybean oil, while a European heatwave threatens France's corn crop.

Europe's sugar beet crop has run out of time to recover

Drought has pushed EU beet yields in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK past recovery, weeks before harvest starts.

Egg markets diverge: Europe steadies while the US rally unwinds

Europe's egg market has stopped falling while the US posts its first broad weekly decline of its rally, and egg powder is now pricing off a different cycle.

Wheat prices ease despite an unresolved Black Sea problem

Wheat pulled back this fortnight even though the Black Sea disruption remains unresolved, while corn, barley and soybean each moved on their own drivers.

Butter and milk powder markets test their stock cushion

Heavy production has left butter, SMP, and WMP stocks well supplied, and the second half of the year will show how much of that cushion gets drawn down.

Black Sea disruption and EU heat lift wheat and corn to multi-year highs

Euronext milling wheat and corn jumped to multi-year highs as Black Sea shipping attacks and a European heatwave hit crops heading into harvest.

Spain's Newcastle disease outbreaks nearly triple; Brazil braces for an EU ban

Newcastle disease outbreaks nearly tripled in Spain in two weeks while Brazil faces an EU poultry export ban from September, tightening the supply outlook.

Heat stress builds for EU sugar beet as growers lock in low prices

A prolonged heatwave is stressing EU sugar beet just as growers lock in disappointing new-crop prices, raising the risk of factory closures in 2027.

Heatwave lifts Euronext corn to a multi-year high

Heat damage puts French corn on course for a 26-year low, lifting Euronext corn to a multi-year high while wheat eases on strong harvest progress.

Poultry week 28: heat losses in Europe, record exports from Brazil

A record heatwave cut European poultry supply while Spain's Newcastle Disease cases and Brazil trade tensions add risk. Vesper's week 28 poultry view.

Vegetable oils hold steady while Brent slips and Europe overheats

Vegetable oils held firm even as Brent slipped to $73. Palm oil rose on strong Malaysian exports, while a heatwave trimmed the EU rapeseed crop outlook.

Hot weather lifts EU grains while US futures slip

European grains firmed over two weeks as hot, dry weather raised yield worries, while US futures fell under harvest pressure and a sliding crude oil price.

A new-crop tender resets EU sugar price expectations

A multinational bought 2026-27 sugar at €530 DDP, roughly €495-500 ex works bulk, resetting European price assumptions anchored to CXL import parity.

European sugar: buyers and sellers dig in on new-crop prices

The 2026/27 European sugar market is a standoff: buyers hold around €530 depending on volume while sellers try to keep the line near €600 bulk ex works.

Thai rice up 25%, wheat swings 40 EUR in a month: grains reprice across the board

Thai rice rose 16 to 25% in May, parboiled A1 leading from 220.73 to 275.61 USD/mt, while EU milling wheat fell to 180 EUR/mt then jumped 36 EUR the next day.

Brazil loses EU poultry access from September; the authorisation body meets too late to fix it

The European Commission has confirmed Brazil cannot export poultry meat to the EU from 3 September 2026, after missing the antimicrobial compliance list.

Record May temperatures lift European grain futures as US crop weather eases CBOT

European and US grains diverged, with Euronext milling wheat up to EUR 214/mt while CBOT SRW wheat fell to 648 cents/bu from 678 on easing crop weather.

European cheese markets ease into summer lull as Q3 demand completes

European cheese prices edged higher on seasonal warmth and Q3 forward buying, then stalled as that demand was covered and the summer lull set in.

Südzucker's sugar division posts €177 million loss as S&P turns negative

Südzucker's sugar division posted a €177 million operating loss in 2025/26 against €13 million a year earlier, and S&P cut its debt outlook to negative.

European eggs cool while the US flips from scarcity to surplus

European eggs are easing from post-Easter highs, but unevenly: caged and standard soften on Eastern European supply while free-range stays tight on disease.

US milk powder shortage pulls EU and Oceania SMP prices higher

European and New Zealand SMP climbed again, with NZ passing $3,600/mt at the GDT auction while US NFDM keeps printing new highs on the CME spot call.

Nordic Sugar to close Porkalla refinery, first EU standalone closure since end of quotas

Nordic Sugar will close its standalone refinery at Porkalla, Finland and move raw sugar refining to its beet factory, the first such EU closure since quotas.

Sugar retreats from March highs on easing geopolitical risk

Sugar No. 11 stood at 13.88 cents/lb and No. 5 white at $424/mt on April 14, as ample supply and India holding its export quota outweighed easing geopolitics.

Variable spring weather disrupts EU sugar beet drilling, area down 7% year on year

Beet drilling has been uneven across northern Europe this spring, with France 93% planted by March 23rd, adding uncertainty to the 2026/27 EU sugar outlook.

EU sugar beet farmers face higher costs as energy prices climb

European sugar beet growers head into the 2026 planting season facing higher costs, with UK red diesel up 60% since the Middle East conflict began.

Fuel surcharges climb and containers pile up as Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is pressuring ocean and air freight, with emergency fuel surcharges rising and 200,000 containers trapped in the Persian Gulf.

Record Brazilian exports push global poultry prices lower

Global poultry heads into late March broadly bearish, with Brazilian and Thai origins falling across whole birds, breast meat and wings on record exports.

Weather anomalies raise risks across key sugar regions

Unusual February weather raised production risks across Europe, Brazil, India and China, with northern France recording rainfall far above the seasonal norm.

Grain prices rise on Middle East conflict, with wheat, corn and soybeans all moving higher

Grain markets rose over two weeks with the Middle East conflict the main driver, as Brent crude gained $8.50 to $81.40 a barrel and lifted wheat and corn.

European poultry market remains under pressure after brief February recovery

A brief February recovery on the return of school meals and monthly salaries has not reversed the broader downward trend in European poultry prices.

European sugar producers feel the squeeze as market prices stay low

Tereos and Südzucker have both reported major financial setbacks, with Tereos posting a €598 million operating loss for the first nine months of 2025/26.

Polish chicken prices fall as Avian Influenza outbreak triggers 2.79 million bird cull

Poland reported 22 new avian influenza outbreaks and culled 2.79 million birds, sending Polish chicken breast prices down 3.7% while French prices rose.

Container shipping rates drop ahead of Chinese New Year as demand falls short

Spot rates fell by double digits on Asia-Europe and Asia-America routes in late January, as the expected pre-Chinese New Year demand surge failed to arrive.

European sugar producers face mounting losses as Süedzucker reports €136 million deficit

Süedzucker posted a €136 million operating loss in its sugar division against €23 million a year earlier, while Nordzucker recorded a €56 million loss.

EU egg market faces structural supply pressure as avian influenza culls and trade restrictions tighten availability

Empty shelves across Austria, Germany and France signal structural supply tightness in EU egg markets. HPAI culls, slow restocking

Egg markets face dual pressure from avian flu outbreaks and rising energy costs

Germany reports 25 farm cases and France 33, the Netherlands has culled 62,000 hens, and Arctic weather is driving a sharp November energy cost spike.

Global milk production overwhelms demand, timing mismatches amplify market pain

US cheese hit 2025 lows and the butter spread to retail topped $2.77/lb, as strong milk output across the US, Europe and New Zealand overwhelms demand.

European sugar producers cut beet area in emergency move

Suedzucker is offering a €10/tonne premium to cut 2026 beet area as European sugar falls to €425/tonne, while French growers battle virus yellows.

Record yields drive European sugar producers to cut 2026 output

Major European sugar producers announce significant production cuts for 2026 as record yields and elevated stocks create supply pressures.

European sugar producers face break-even crisis with prices at €450

European sugar has fallen to €450 ex-factory beet belt on a bulk basis, pushing producers toward break-even after sharp declines in New York 11 futures.

EU considers 300% expansion of Ukrainian egg import quotas amid food safety concerns

The EU weighs a 300% expansion of Ukrainian egg import quotas as antibiotic residue detections raise food safety concerns for industrial egg users.

Global grain surplus puts buyers in control as sellers compete for market share

Record wheat, corn and barley harvests have put buyers in control, with French wheat flour up EUR 2/mt to EUR 284/mt on firmer Euronext milling wheat.

Dry European weather and China frost risk test global grain outlook

European grain regions face a predominantly dry spell on the ECMWF forecast, while China's central corn and soybean belt braces for potential frost damage.

European sugar prices fall below import parity amid 2025 harvest season

European white sugar for 2026 delivery has dropped below import parity for the first time in a year, opening a rare window for manufacturers to cover.

Polish sugar beet growers earn €52.55 per tonne, highest in Europe with EU subsidy support

Polish sugar beet farmers receive €52.55 per tonne, the highest in Europe, while still drawing EU subsidies designed to support less competitive regions.

Raw sugar futures recover as Brazilian mills eye ethanol production shift

Raw sugar futures bounced back to 16.1 cents/lb as Brazilian mills signal potential pivot to ethanol production. European yields exceed forecasts..

European whey protein concentrate hits price ceiling as production declines persist

European WPC80 has stabilised around €12,150/mt while US markets keep climbing, with production down more than 10% across regions on processor cutbacks.

EU sugar prices tumble €25 per tonne as harvest outlook brightens

European sugar corrected sharply, with prices falling about €25 per tonne across the EU beet belt on exceptionally good harvest conditions this season.

Brazil lifts sugar production to five-year high while Europe faces oversupply

Brazil’s Center–South mills pushed sugar output to the highest early-August level in five years, with 55% of cane directed to sugar.

Dairy fat prices correct lower as milk production increases globally

Global dairy fat prices face downward pressure from record milk production while whey protein markets enter tight Q4 purchasing window.

Sugar prices drop to 16 cents as Brazil's Center-South production picks up pace

Sugar prices decline to near 16 cents/lb driven by Brazil's Center-South production increase and potential Indian export expansion.

Global cheese prices slip as summer demand weakens across Europe and US markets

Global cheese markets soften as European summer holidays reduce demand while production remains steady - cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, emmental

August 1 dairy tariffs set to reshape US import markets as European butter hits €7,000

With August 1 approaching, dairy tariff increases are building market tension as European butter reaches €7,000/mt and US whey faces export uncertainty.

Biodiesel prices rebound after sharp decline on Middle East ceasefire

Week 26: biodiesel prices fell hard on the Israel-Iran ceasefire before recovering, as European regulatory changes reshaped HVO and UCO demand.

Sugar prices under pressure as global surplus expectations dominate market sentiment

Global sugar surplus drives prices lower despite European beet acreage cuts and drought stress. Raw sugar hits 17.2 cents/lb.

European cheese market update: Buyers find no bargains as demand surges

European cheese consumption surges 16.91% YOY, driving unexpected price increases despite peak production. Get the latest on cheddar, gouda, emmental and mozzar

Sugar market analysis: Short-term volatility amidst long-term pressure

Vesper's latest sugar market analysis reveals short-term price support from Brazil's 53% production drop, while long-term bearish pressure looms from India and

Key Drivers Behind the Rise in European White Sugar Prices and What to Expect in 2025

European white sugar prices have risen since October 2024 on supply constraints, adverse weather and strong global demand. What to expect through 2025.

The Global Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on the Dairy Market

Explore the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on the global dairy market, from price shifts and buyer preferences to trade bans.

Global Sugar Market Update: Pressure on global prices persists

Pressure on global sugar prices, production declines in Brazil & Europe, and the outlook for 2025. Stay informed with Vesper.

Biodiesel Market Update: Key Trends Driving Price Dynamics

Biodiesel prices have dropped sharply on softer demand and a steep decline in used cooking oil values. The key trends now shaping pricing across regions.

European Sugar Market Update: Is This the Optimal Buying Window for European Buyers?

The JRC MARS bulletin revised the EU27 sugar beet yield forecast up to 75.4 tonnes per hectare, above September's 74.7 and the five-year average of 73.2.

Sucrose Levels Are Falling Below the 5-Year Average in Parts of Europe Due to Unfavorable Weather Patterns

Heavy rainfall and humidity in Germany and France are causing sucrose levels in sugar beets to fall below the 5-year average.

Canadian Canola Shipments Rise Amid Chinese Buyers' Uncertainty Over Antidumping Investigation

Canadian canola shipments surge amid Chinese antidumping concerns, as MATIF rapeseed prices rise and ICE Canola holds steady. Explore the market impact.

Rapeseed complex is stronger w-o-w on weather worries

Discover how adverse weather conditions in key regions are driving up rapeseed and canola prices. Explore the latest price increases here.

Dairy Market: European liquids prices are through the roof, with cream reaching extremely high

Discover the latest trends in the European dairy market. Declining milk production and more buyers influencing butter, SMP, and WMP prices.

Dairy Market Update: Fluctuations in Liquid Milk Prices

Understand the trends affecting raw milk, cream, SMC, and whey concentrate prices, and discover the implications of regional price variations

EU Sugar Production Forecast for 2024/2025, including Pricing Insights

Stay ahead with our EU Sugar Production Forecast for 2024/2025. Get insights into beet cultivation, market trends, and price indices.

European crop faces delays as main producers grapple with flooding and above-average rains

Storms and saturated ground have delayed the North West Europe sugar beet harvest, with France only 50% cut by mid-November against a typical 80%.

Big differences are starting to occur between European countries

EU28 milk production rose 0.98% year on year, but growth rates differ substantially between individual European countries. Where the gaps are widest.

France/World: Alpro, Nutricia, Danone dairy to merge

Danone is merging Alpro, Nutricia and Danone Dairy into one business unit, alongside a category vision in which flexitarian diets play a growing role.

EU: official butter prices static

Official butter prices were unchanged in Germany, France and the Netherlands, leaving the EU wholesale average at €7,263/t for a third straight week.

EU: July milk production – signs of recovery

EU July milk production was down 0.5% year on year but up 0.4% on the month, with Poland up 5.8%, Belgium 4.2%, the Netherlands 3.5% and Ireland 1.0%.

EU: May Milk Production Up 0.8%

EU-27 May milk production rose 0.8%, with Ireland up 4.0%, Italy 2.5%, Belgium 2.3%, and Poland and Spain both 1.8%, while France fell 1.6% on the year.

EU: PRODUCT MANUFACTURE FOLLOWS MILK DOWN

EU January milk production fell 0.7%, with Ireland down 4.1%, the Netherlands 2.7%, and Germany and France both 2.2%, though 12 member states still grew.