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Strawberry French have been waiting

They are praying. The gariguettes, Ciflorette, Clécy or mara des bois gradually come to market with nearly two weeks late. "The production schedule is shifted by two weeks compared to last year because of the cold spell of February, indicates the Agreste, the statistics department of the Ministry of Agriculture, in his final memo on the economy. In May, domestic production is expected to significantly ramp up and reach a peak around May 15. "

France, where people eat an average of 2 kg per year per person, has become a structural deficit in strawberries and even became the first importer. French production should be nearly equivalent to that of last year (1%), with 51,000 tonnes of strawberries this year. She points and sixth in Europe, behind Spain, leading with nearly 300,000 tons mainly in the province of Huelva, and Poland (about 200,000 tons), which mainly produces strawberries for the processing industry.

The "Drosophila susukki" threat

Germany, which allows the employment of seasonal workers from eastern Europe, the hourly cost almost twice lower than in the Hexagon, is third with 157,000 tons. In total, we produce on the Old Continent 1.1 million tonnes of strawberries, or nearly 30% of world production.

Pricewise, as frost damage to vegetation have not been fully assessed and are being expertise, it creates tension on line pay day loans. "Early in the season 2012, the index of producer prices is greater than 7% five-year average," notes the Agreste. By comparison, last year, the average price of the high season between March and June, stood at 5.01 euros per kilo. A price significantly less competitive than the call price charged by major retailers this weekend (two-thirds of the distribution of strawberries) to 1.80 per kilo. But it was strawberries come from the Iberian Peninsula.

In France, according to initial estimates, the surfaces of strawberries should be stable for the 2012 campaign compared to last season. Strawberries produced in the open air should fall by 30% in contrast to the greenhouses which represent two thirds of production. This mode of production should continue to grow (+30%) related to the increase in aboveground surfaces (36%) and burial (25%).  

However, in terms of health, some concerns loom over the threat of Drosophila susukki, a small fly that could cause serious damage. "It is not yet reached us, but vigilance is extreme," says Benedict Lopez, the producer Hautière, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre near Nantes.

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Free Mobile: FO takes a stand on employment

Concern is growing about employment in the telecom sector. Jean-Claude Mailly, general secretary of the Workers Force, wrote to Constable telecom (ARCEP), with a copy to Francois Fillon, a letter to "attract (his) attention to the impact of the fourth mobile license in the sector ". An appointment was set with the President of ARCEP, Jean-Ludovic Silicani next Monday late afternoon.

"Our fears are a large alignment with lowest social ultimately affect employees in terms of pay, job destruction and group benefits and more generally on the future of this branch , "wrote Jean-Claude Mailly. "The public authorities must establish as quickly as a regulated framework for preventing the destruction of jobs and preventing these abuses do not fall into place," he adds.

Concerns for call centers

End of March, in an interview with Le Figaro, Jean-Ludovic Silicani indicated that the sector "risks losing about 10,000 jobs in two years." But this destruction should be creating value, generating new jobs at Free Mobile first, but also in related sectors such as electronic commerce or the Web.

A macro view is far from convincing FO. "Our feedback from the field we are rather echoes of 30,000 job cuts on the entire industry," said Pascal Pavageau, FO confederal secretary in charge of economic and industrial.

Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, destabilized by the arrival of a new competitor, of course, have interest in stirring the cloth of employment quick guaranteed personal loans. "Some may want to cry wolf. But we see that restructuring is already underway among operators: contracts are stopped, benefits with subcontractors shall be adopted, the new hires are canceled and call centers are now going abroad, " Pavageau said Pascal, even claiming that "3% to 7% of jobs in France are starting to be outsourced, mainly on call centers." In the medium term, the union also fears that the sector is no longer able to invest as much in development, innovation and research and development.

That is seeking its FO meeting with the regulator? "First, we want to immediately and quickly, from the regulator and the government, an overview of employment in the sector, says Pascal Pavageau. Second, we want the government obtain a commitment of four operators in the maintenance of employment in France and their investment opportunities. "

The union will even consider that Oseo or ISPs may be called on to provide funding, if necessary.

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Controversy in Japan on nuclear revival

Critics have not kept waiting to condemn the Japanese government project to restart two nuclear reactors. Since the disaster of Fukushima and security measures that followed, almost all of the park which provided 28% of the electricity of the Archipelago has been shutdown. Today, one unit is still running and should be stopped for maintenance in the coming weeks. So far, Japan has managed this failure by attempting to reduce energy consumption and increasing imports of oil and gas.

However, with the approach of summer and peak demand associated with the use of air conditioners, electric companies, industry and the government becomes more pressing to restart some nuclear sites. Kansai Electric Power Company, now deprived of all its reactors, and says she may suffer from inadequate power of 20% during peak summer.

Obtain an understanding of citizens

Friday, the government Yoshihiko Noda had approved the reactivation plan of units 3 and 4 of the Central Oi (a hundred miles from Kyoto). Ensuring that the reactors in question comply with new security standards, the industry minister, Yukio Edano, nevertheless said: "The revival will be once we have obtained an understanding of citizens, starting with the local population. "

Nothing is less certain for now. Environmental groups are quickly mounted slot, as the Japanese press. "It is difficult to understand why the government so anxious to restart the reactors," wrote an editorial Sunday in the general Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun, saying that more thorough inspections should be made before any restart. For its part, the daily Asahi Shimbunregrette "inconstancy" Noda government in its nuclear policy. Before taking office, the Prime Minister had indeed promised to continue the denuclearization of the country. "Independent studies show that there will be no shortage of energy," says his side Wakao Hanaoka, an activist of Greenpeace Japan.

While the population does not seem ready to return to nuclear, renewable energy has found a new attraction. Last week was thus launched a solar power plant of 70 megawatts, the largest in the country.

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The soil will benefit from the wave "Made in France"

Regional producers of France chasing European labels. On 20 March the European Commission awarded the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in sea salt. "This is great news that we have awaited for a long time," says Gregory Pitard, president of the Association for the promotion of artisanal salt (Aprosela). To date, 191 French products – and some 375 wines – benefit from a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI, a total of 1092 products. And forty cases are still awaiting a decision from Brussels, whose Livarot, mussels from Bouchut, Camembert de Normandie, chestnuts from Ardèche, rillettes of Tours or the Montbéliard sausage. "Producers voluntarily impose new constraints in their manufacturing process to protect their knowledge against usurpation and imitation," says the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).

European labels have not only a protective role. "Over time, the IGP is a business advantage," said the president of the Aprosela. In fact, 42.3% of French people think that promoting products "Made in France" should be a priority in the presidential campaign, according to a study site Testntrust. "The geographic origin of a product is an important choice for consumers, although it is difficult to measure its impact," says Jean-Louis Benassi, director of the inter Unicid ciders. A view shared by Alexis Martinod Savoîcime director, representing the Tomme de Savoie. "Achieving the required level of quality has a cost that justifies the eyes of our customers, a sales price sometimes better than others," said he. For the INAO, "buying a local product is often a militant act because, in the spirit of the French, it provides a livelihood for local channels, or even a region where the context is sometimes difficult, as the Lozere or the Ardeche. "

Europe also protects Chinese garlic …

With these labels, producers sometimes enjoy support from the regions or departments to complete their development projects. Chain of Tomme de Savoie, for example, spends an annual budget of 25,000 euros to research. Regional producers can expand their markets. "Our products are particularly relevant to retailers," says Franck Pernot du Breuil, president of the inter Fraise du Périgord. In recent years, retailers have expanded their range by playing the card of the soil. Like with its Carrefour brand Reflets de France, or E. Leclerc Our Regions of Talent.

"Retailers often do not put forward our signature Fraise du Périgord because they want to promote their own brands," says Franck however Pernot du Breuil. "As a result, consumers may not know these labels and the qualitative approach they impose on our business." The boost from the European Union can also lead to unexpected setbacks. Last October, Brussels has angered producers of French, Italian and Spanish by registering as a PGI Chinese garlic Jinxiang Da Suan, facilitating the coup its import and marketing in Europe. Meanwhile, in France, smoked garlic Arleux still waiting for the distinction.

Quality labels and home: how to find

In France, nearly one in two farmers engaged in an official sign identifying the quality and origin. In 2010, these signs represented a turnover of 19 billion euros in the first market, according to INAO, which recalls the specifics of these signs guaranteed and recognized by the State: …… ..

• The designation of origin (AOC) means a product including all stages of manufacturing (production, processing and preparation) are made according to know-how in the same geographical area. For example, the St. Nectarios can not be manufactured in only part of the Auvergne from milk from the area.

• The designation of origin (PDO) is the European equivalent of the AOC. The name of a product is protected throughout the EU. Products that have earned this distinction, there is Chablis, Roquefort, Brie de Meaux, olive oil from Corsica or Bresse chicken.

• The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is a product whose characteristics are related to the geographic location at which occurs at least its production or processing according to well defined conditions. The ravioli of Dauphine, the Camargue rice and Bayonne ham are among the 107 products that have obtained the PGI in France.

• The traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG) is a European label that protects a traditional recipe. To date, no French product holds this sign, which was however awarded Serrano ham or Gueuze beer. The farmed mussels and Emmental filed an application with the European Commission in 2006 and 2011.

• The Red Label is a sign that French refers to products with higher quality compared to other similar products, thanks to their conditions of production or manufacture. This is awarded to agricultural and food products such as smoked salmon, chicken, cheese or sausage.

• Organic farming (AB) production method ensures environmentally and animal welfare. The rules regulating the organic production method are the same throughout Europe, and imported products are subject to the same requirements.  

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Suicides: Post freezes its reorganization

Unions of La Poste have been heard. Rocked by three suicides in six months, the postal group has taken the measure of social malaise that reigns within its walls. According to the Journal du Dimanche, its CEO, Jean-Paul Bailly, is expected to announce Monday a suspension until September of the reorganization of the branch e. A break of nearly six months during which discussions will be held with employees to improve their working conditions. At the local level, first, the regional offices of the Post Office will begin negotiations on the reduction of work patterns in post offices. At the national level, then, Jean-Paul Bailly launch the establishment of a "social warning unit" and could also release a budget to support the weakest agents, specify the sources cited by the weekly Sunday. Contacted by The Figaro.fr, the group was not immediately available for comment.

La Poste has accelerated its timetable for ending the crisis, after the suicide last Sunday as part of a group in Britain. In a folder left behind, this forty, who had been off long illness since November and was found hanged at his place of work in Brittany, had denounced a hard three years from its hierarchy. This was the second suicide in Breton Post in ten days. February 29, Jeremy Buan, a senior of 28 years, had committed suicide by jumping from the top floor of La Poste in Rennes, in the Ille-et-Vilaine. He too had reported his "outstanding work" in a letter released by his partner. Immediately, the Post Office had opened on Tuesday for talks with the unions on "health and welfare at work", promising that "proposals" would be made "before summer".

The bracketing, albeit provisional, of the restructuring of the business mail should satisfy the unions who denounced social climate "anxiety" since the suicide last September of a 52-year employee who was, also, défenestrée the fourth floor of the financial center of the 15th arrondissement in Paris payday loans. "This situation is unfortunately not unique to the post office," said Antoine Le Séguillon this week, a union representative GSC in Figaro.fr. "And it is not unique to Britain," he said hoping that the leadership would engage quickly "concrete actions".

Action plan against erosion mail

Faced with the erosion of its mail business, which it considered that the volumes would collapse by 30% over 2008-2015, the Post Office had drawn a new plan in 2009. Jean-Paul Bailly had emphasized that this branch should "reinvent themselves" by offering new services. Gradually, the schedules of post offices have been extended throughout France, robots have been installed to reduce waiting times for customers and, last September, The Post has completely redesigned its line of mail.

A strategy that has "paid off", welcomed the group during the presentation of its annual results on March 8. While lower volumes continued with a decrease of 3%, after falling 3.3% in 2010, the mail business recorded a turnover stable at EUR 11.5 billion (+ 0.3%), more than half of the total activity of La Poste. But for the unions, these good results have been costly to employees. According to the CGT, it was obtained "at a price of 10,091 job cuts" and an increase in sick leave.

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SMEs, weak link of French exports

Although occupies an important place in the French economy, SMEs – firms employing fewer than 250 employees – are content to play second fiddle to export. They represent less than 18% of sales generated abroad by France, while firms with more than 1,000 employees generate 39% of its amount. And the number of exporting SMEs has been declining in recent years. It took until 2010 for companies embarking on exports (28,900) are more numerous for the first time in eight years than abandoning international markets (26,000). This weakness is particularly disturbing that the French trade deficit worsened to reach a record 69.6 billion euros in 2011.

A series of measures to encourage partnerships

"Entrepreneurial culture does not lead French SMEs to turn spontaneously to export, unlike Germany and Italy where entrepreneurs naturally think to foreign markets to grow their business," says Jean-François Roubaud, president of the CGPME, in a draft opinion "Winning the battle of SMEs with export" submitted today to the vote of the members of the Economic, social and environmental.

To give new impetus to French exports, Jean-Francois Roubaud offers a series of measures ranging from improved business support for encouraging partnerships between large companies and SMEs. It recommends that regions create a "single window for export involving all stakeholders who can help companies" or "Export House" by drawing on the example of Lille. SMEs also need to have information "relevant and immediately usable" to enable them to quickly understand what are the growth markets and declining and who are their competitors. Inspired by the Swedish, France could adopt a "true diagnostic tool" to identify firms capable of exporting.

Billing policy

Despite efforts in recent years, the president of the CGPME observed that coordination between the public can be improved. He believes that the financial institution Oséo public must become "the main contact for funding" by resuming activity insurance prospecting Coface. This insurance allows SMEs to finance their business development and to be compensated in case of failure. Ubifrance under the Ministry of Economy should clarify its public service mission and its activities in competition with chambers of commerce. This would save public money. Its billing policy is also to be revised. Latest proposal: to encourage the economic patriotism of large groups, governments are encouraged to vary the amount of aid awarded to international contracts won by the largest corporations based on the part of activities carried out by SMEs.

A woman at the head of IBM

Soft, IBM is changing. Virginia Rometty, called "Ginni" in the group where she began her career in 1981, will become the first woman CEO of the giant Armonk. Aged 54, she will take office January 1.

The transition with Sam Palmisano, the boss for ten years a number of U.S. computer services, will be phased. He will become chairman of the board of directors.

Continue the transformation of the group

In the soothing world of IBM, Virginia Rometty has climbed the ladder since being hired as a systems engineer. She has led the industry including insurance and financial services.His feat of arms was in 2002, the integration of the consultancy arm of PricewaterhouseCoopers to form a strike force of 100,000 consultants.

This successful integration has led her to take charge of IBM Global Services, the main activity of the giant who represented the third quarter of 2011, 57% of the turnover of the group.

Ginni Rometty intends to continue the transformation of the IT group that "has changed in a decade."

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Apple resists the action notwithstanding the death of Steve Jobs

"The news of my death are greatly exaggerated," joked Steve Jobs when Bloomberg had his obituary published in error in August 2008. Nevertheless: the stock market, Apple had lost the title on the day 2.42%.

Announced tonight the death of the charismatic leader will Apple does the same concerns in the markets? It is no surprise to Apple's shareholders. The charismatic leader had prepared his departure, giving the reins of his company to Tim Cook. But his death marks indeed the end of an era for the firm at the apple.

Thursday morning, investors still seem uncertain: New York, the title is almost stable at the opening to 377 dollars (-0.33%). But in Frankfurt, where the action is also listed, the decline is more pronounced: just after 12 o'clock, the title loses 2.75% to 272.51 euros after touching a low of 270.50 euros.

The title after the stand 4S iPhone

Steve Jobs as a CEO was not like the others. Associated with the image of the company he co-founded, he was also in stock bad credit personal loan lenders. Apple has become the first in the world market capitalization, elbow to elbow with Exxon Mobil.

As Steve Jobs made Apple, Steve Jobs's health was reflected in the title. Suffering from cancer since 2004, the group leader had to leave several times, until he left there just over a month, on August 25. Each announcement related to his health problems, the markets feared for the future of the group and the title suffered large fluctuations.

Two days ago, the title fell by 5% during the session along with the presentation of the 4S iPhone. The latest version of Apple's flagship phone, slightly different from the previous one, was disappointed the markets, hoping to iPhone 5.But the title was returned to the balance at the end of the session and finished on a moderate loss of 0.56% to 372.50 dollars. Sign that investors want to believe in the capacity of Tim Cook to keep the group at the top.

Slight improvement in the morale of cadres

After an unprecedented drop in September (-30 points), who dropped to its lowest historical, the composite index of moral frameworks in October recorded a very slight improvement (4 points, -51) . This is reflected in the latest wave of eco-Baro Viavoice for HEC, Le Figaro and France Inter. "After a very bad score in September, but rather the beginnings of a correction than a real improvement in the bottom," said François Miquet-Marty, president of Viavoice.

At the macroeconomic level, white-collar workers remain pessimistic.Seven in ten think that the standard of living in France "degrade" in a year and almost eight out of ten (77%) and unemployment "increase" in the coming months.

Vicious circle

These concerns are largely fueled by doubts about "the ability of France to reduce its deficits" (47%) and the anticipation of the impact "of austerity on growth" (39%). "The magnitude of the deficits may impose stronger discipline, which could restrain growth and thereby compromising deficit reduction," the president of Viavoice analysis. For managers, this vicious circle, deficits, rigor, decay, now appears more menacing that "commodity prices" (28%), "the future of the euro" (22%) or "the changes in stock prices "(16%).

Amid this gloomy picture, however, some glimmers of hope.If the problems banks are now in the news, the difficulty for companies to find financing worries only 18% of managers. Then they are less likely to feel that their financial situation "will deteriorate" (44%, down 4 points) and almost as many think that it "will remain stationary" (43%, six points). Their employees are more motivated (36%, +4 points).

As for opportunities for a career, if they are deemed "weak" by an overwhelming majority of executives (79%), the percentage of those who disagree (17%) improved by 4 points. Finally, the question "do you think Greece should leave it to devalue the euro?", A framework of two answers "no" and nearly one in three "yes."