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“
Take a croissant, while there are
still bakers
to make them.
It is with this sad formula that Gérard Gomez, president of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of New Aquitaine (CMA), presented on Tuesday the results of a vast economic survey, carried out among nearly 3,000 managers. artisanal.
The observation is clear: the food sector (approximately 11% of the crafts sector) is seriously affected by the current series of crises (war in Ukraine, inflation, cost of energy).
While overall, more than half of artisans have confidence in the future (50.6%), only 40.9% are in the food sector.
A figure that attests to “
an even more serious crisis than in other sectors
”, regrets Gérard Gomez.
Read alsoNew Aquitaine: the SOS of bakers and butchers-delicatessen faced with the price of energy
But the current economic situation is difficult for the vast majority of companies, all sectors combined.
In the territory of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 66% of the companies questioned consider themselves to be in a state of financial fragility.
38.2% are even in a critical situation for their survival.
In the food sector, the figures are even more alarming: 77.4% confide in their financial fragility, and nearly half (48.4%) fear that they will soon have to go out of business.
The main difficulties encountered in this sector (90.43%) are linked to the increase in the cost of raw materials.
Next comes the rise in energy prices (82.98%), well ahead of other issues, such as the decline in purchasing power (50%).
"
We are not out of the crisis
", regrets the president of the CMA of the region, who recalls that "
putting the baguette at 3 euros, it would be easy, but it is inconceivable today
", because the craftsmen must also “
maintain their clientele, which is losing purchasing power
”.
Distress calls from artisans
While “
the bills are starting to arrive
”, Gérard Gomez explains that “
many companies are entitled to aid but do not necessarily think about it
”.
Some bakers may, for example, be affected by the tariff shield, if their electricity meter has a power of less than 36 kVA.
The main challenge is therefore to inform companies, because “
overall, aid responds to a large proportion of cases
”.
To establish contact and inform the 4,000 bakers and pastry chefs in New Aquitaine, the CMA is currently carrying out a major campaign of telephone calls.
Around 60% of bakers have already been contacted.
Among them, half “
were not aware of the measures offered by the State
”.
For businesses in the region, the year 2023 which is beginning could be a pivotal year.
"
We are in the eye of the storm
", warns Gérard Gomez, because, all sectors combined, "
60% of people questioned are not aware of the percentage increase in their energy bill
", whereas this one could go up to a 400% increase.
In prevention, psychological help cells have been reactivated in all departments.
“
We are starting to have calls that are no longer of concern, but of distress
,” laments the president of the CMA of New Aquitaine.
Read alsoAround the Garonne, the water war has begun
However, some glimmers of hope illuminate the horizon.
In 2022, the number of craft establishments in the region will exceed 200,000.
In the next six months, only 17.4% of food companies in the region plan to reduce their workforce.
72.8% plan to keep the same number of employees and nearly 10% even plan to recruit.
Despite this, we will still have to "
wait a few months before seeing the end of the tunnel
", warns Gérard Gomez.