Economy of France. The main features of the French economy. Animal products in France Industry and agriculture in France
Agriculture is the industry most patronized by the state, although its basis is private land ownership. The decisive share of production is provided by large farms (with an allotment of 20-100 hectares), but small and medium-sized ones predominate numerically. In terms of production, France ranks first in Western Europe and 3rd in the world after the US and Canada. It is the largest European producer of wheat, butter, beef, cheese (more than 400 varieties). More than 50% of the production comes from animal husbandry (cattle breeding). The share of wines in exports is traditionally high. French farmers are the main opponents of the introduction of genetically modified products in Europe, as French products are traditionally highly valued for their quality.
France is the largest agricultural producer in Western Europe. Agriculture, as of 2010, accounted for approximately 2.2% of GDP and 3.8% of the country's labor force, but contributed 25% of output in the EU. A characteristic feature of the socio-economic structure is the rather small size of farms. The average land area is 28 hectares, which exceeds the corresponding indicators of many EU countries. There is great fragmentation in land ownership. More than half of the farms exist on their own land. Large farms are the leading force in production. They provide more than 2/3 of products, occupying a dominant position in the production of almost all branches of agriculture.
In agriculture, group forms of farming have become widespread. The most important place among them is occupied by cooperatives, primarily for the use of agricultural machinery. Cooperatives operate in all areas of production. In winemaking, they provide 50% of production, 30% of canned vegetables, over 25% of meat trade, over 40% of dairy products. In the mid 1960s. agricultural production associations appeared, which arose as an expression of the desire of small and medium-sized producers to withstand the onslaught of big capital.
Agriculture is managed both through a system of state specialized bodies and through a number of mixed companies, mainly of a sectoral nature. State regulation carried out mainly through economic impact. There is a specialized bank "Credit Agricole" with local branches, the Fund for Economic and Social Development. The European Fund for Agricultural Orientation has a great influence on the development of structural policy. Stimulating methods of state influence are used both to expand the production of individual crops, strengthen the structure of farms, and reduce overproduction.
The leading industry is animal husbandry, which accounts for 2/3 of the value of agricultural products, France is the first producer of barley and sugar among Western countries, the second - wheat, wine and meat. Traditionally, such industries as viticulture, horticulture, and oyster fishing are known.
Agriculture is highly industrialized. In terms of equipment saturation, the use of chemical fertilizers, it is second only to the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Technical equipment, improvement of farming agriculture has led to an increase in the country's self-sufficiency in agricultural products. For grain, sugar, it exceeds 200%, for butter, eggs, meat - over 100% [8.340].
— Continuous growth of agricultural efficiency
– Crop production
— Animal products
— Agri-food industry
— The future of agriculture
crop production
Crop production accounts for just over half of the agricultural sector's income. Cereals are still the leaders both in terms of production and exports. Producing 36 million tons of wheat, France ranks fourth in this indicator in the world and first in European Union. The cultivation of wheat is favored by the fertile soils of the Paris Basin, the regions of Berry and Toulouse. Maize production, which in 1997 amounted to 17 million tons, has now exceeded the production of barley, which has remained at the same level (10 million tons) over the past decade. For a long period, corn was grown only in the south-west of the country, but now, thanks to sprinkler irrigation and the development of hybrid varieties, it has spread to the Paris Basin. Production of other cereals, in particular oats and rye, is declining rapidly.
In contrast, oilseeds and protein crops, for which there is a strong and significant industrial demand, have expanded over the past 15 years. Rapeseed, grown mainly north of the Loire, and sunflower, cultivated in the southwest and the Paris Basin, provide the bulk of the supply. Recently, soybean cultivation has begun in the south of the country and in the Rhone Valley.
Often grown together with grain food crops, sugar beet, the harvest of which in 1997 amounted to 34.2 million tons, provides France, ahead of Germany in this respect, first place in the world. Along with this, sugar is also produced from sugar cane coming from Martinique, Guadeloupe and Reunion. As for the potato as an industrial crop, the area under it is declining, despite the variety of its use in the food industry.
France is one of the largest European producers of agricultural products. The country occupies one of the leading places in the world in terms of the number of cattle, pigs, poultry and the production of milk, eggs and meat.
The main branch of agriculture in France is meat and dairy cattle breeding. Grain farming is predominant in crop production. The main crops are wheat, barley and corn.
Viticulture is well developed in France. The country traditionally occupies one of the leading places in the world in wine production. Vegetable growing, horticulture and floriculture, as well as fishing and oyster farming are very popular.
The basis of French agriculture is private land ownership. The main share of production comes from large farms. However, small and medium-sized ones predominate.
In terms of agricultural production, France ranks first in Western Europe and third in the world after the United States and Canada.
It is Europe's largest producer of wheat, butter, beef, cheese (more than 400 varieties). More than 50% of the production comes from animal husbandry.
French products are traditionally distinguished by their high quality. Farmers actively oppose the introduction of genetically modified products in Europe.
France is the largest producer of agricultural products in Western Europe and one of the largest exporters in the world.
In terms of gross value of agricultural exports, France is second only to the United States, and as a net exporter, the United States and the Netherlands.
Favorable natural conditions and large areas of usable land became the basis for this. Arable land occupies 19 million hectares, meadows and pastures - 12. The best arable land in France is located in the Seine basin and in the northeast.
The more humid northwest is dominated by meadows and pastures.
The overall high level of development of the country also had a positive impact on agricultural production - it belongs to the intensive and highly productive. 1.2 million people work in agriculture. The average size of farms is 28 hectares. In production, the best indicators are typical for Northern France, worse - for the southern regions.
Crop production provides 1/3 of the cost of production. They grow cereals, potatoes, sugar beet, oilseeds (rapeseed, sunflower).
The annual harvest of grain reached 60 million tons.
tons, half is exported (second place in the world after hay). Wheat is harvested up to 35 million tons, barley and corn are equally penny. The main area for growing wheat is the Seine and Loire basins, corn is the hot and humid Garonne basin. Sugar beet is cultivated in the Seine basin and in the north. France is the largest producer and exporter of sugar in Western Europe.
They grow a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers, including for making perfumes.
Common fruits include apples, most of the crop is processed into cider. Brittany and Normandy are famous for their apple orchards.
There are few citrus fruits and olives, because the subtropical zone in France, compared to Italy and Spain, is insignificant.
Viticulture plays an important role. In terms of grape harvesting, production and export of wine, its per capita consumption, France ranks second in the world, only slightly behind Italy. French wines are considered the best in the world. The vine came to Gaul in Roman times. The northern limit of its distribution was a conditional line that stretches from Nantes to Reims through Paris.
Grapes for their own needs are grown everywhere, in almost every farm. Commodity production is concentrated in large farms with cellars.
Almost 1/2 of the wine comes from the south, but these are cheap table varieties. The base of high-quality vintage wines (Bordeaux, Anjou, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhine) are small enclaves with their own unique soils, slope exposure, vine variety, cultivation and processing methods.
The names of wine products are embodied not only the names of the former provinces, but also such French cities as Cahors and Cognac.
Animal husbandry provides 2/3 of the value of agricultural products. The main traditionally is the breeding of cattle. Specialized pig and poultry breeding began to develop relatively recently. Meat production is 110 kg per inhabitant, and milk production is also very significant.
Local cheese makers produce 400 varieties of cheese. Little meat is exported, although recently France has become an important supplier of livestock and poultry to the markets of the EU countries. As a cheese exporter, the country ranks high in the world.
Cattle breeding areas can be divided into two groups. The first covers low- and medium-high territories in the east and south - the Ardennes, Vosges, Jura, the Massif Central and the foothills of the Pyrenees, the second is low-lying territories, as if surrounding the Seine and Loire basins from the north.
Dairy and meat directions are in both groups of districts, however, dairy is of greater importance in the second group, and meat - in the first. Livestock breeding in Normandy has gained world fame, where soil fertility is low, but heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures create ideal conditions and excellent pastures for keeping dairy cattle.
Pig fattening areas almost coincide with the areas of cattle stocking.
Sheep breeding (mainly dairy direction) takes place on the southern slopes of the Central Massif. Brittany became the most important area for poultry farming.
France catches annually up to 0.5 million tons of fish.
Very significant own timber harvesting - more than 33 million cubic meters. in year. This is the result of the widespread introduction of industrial forestry. Sandy lowlands (Landes) between the Garonne and the Pyrenees in a humid and hot climate turned out to be suitable for growing maritime pine.
Following in the wake of this policy, French agriculture has undergone almost the same changes as the agriculture of other countries of the European Union, especially its oldest members. At the same time, it has its own unique features related, in particular, to natural conditions: in terms of cultivated area, it is the largest agriculture in Europe, which allowed France to become a net exporter of agricultural products since the late 60s.
A variety of soil and climatic conditions provides France with the opportunity to produce in significant quantities. Since the 19th century, French agriculture has developed in conditions of tightly closed borders, and since the 60s of the 20th century, in strict accordance with the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (CAP), which is the most complete and most integrated version of European policy.
The total area of agricultural land in metropolitan France is about 33 million hectares.
ha, that is, 60% of the country's territory. The rest is occupied by forests (15 million hectares) and non-agricultural land (7 million hectares).
ha). Over the years, the area of agricultural land has been gradually shrinking, giving way to forests and non-agricultural land. Some of these lands are not cultivated. After carrying out major work on plowing virgin lands, drainage and reclamation, carried out until the 70s, the area of uncultivated land has now stabilized at a level of about 3 million hectares.
ha. Thus, the area of agricultural land in use is about 30 million hectares, or half a hectare per capita, and about 23% of the total agricultural land area of the 15 states of the European Union.
The bulk of the cultivated area (more than 61% against 55% in 1950) is occupied by arable land.
Somewhat less than 35% of agricultural land, compared to 38% in 1950, is occupied by grasses; vineyards and orchards occupy only about 4% of the area, that is, a little more than 1 million hectares, against 2 million hectares in 1950, which is associated with the concentration of fruit production in highly specialized farms and the elimination of part of the vineyards intended for the production of ordinary wines, especially after 1980.
The size of the area under grain crops (about 9 million ha).
ha) and under beets (about 450 thousand ha) has remained fairly stable over the past 40 years. The area under oilseeds and protein crops has increased significantly: from 250 thousand hectares in 1960 to more than 2.7 million hectares at the present time. In general, areas under major crops increased by more than 2.3 million hectares. On the contrary, the areas devoted to the cultivation of green fodder for farm animals (lands under grasses and forage crops) have significantly decreased over 40 years - from 20 million
to 14.6 million hectares: that is why the area of cultivated land has decreased and the area under the main crops has increased. However, these changes were not uniform. There were very complex processes of specialization of regions. In some, existing meadows were turned into arable land, in others, on the contrary, food crops or part of the meadows were replaced by more profitable fodder crops, in particular fodder corn.
Agricultural holdings
The number of agricultural holdings has been steadily declining.
The rate of this decline has varied over time, ranging from 3% to more than 5% per year, depending on the number of older farmers leaving their jobs. This process was directly influenced by measures taken at the European or national level to encourage the termination of employment (payment of compensation, early retirement and retirement at 60).
In 1997, there were 680,000 such farms (against 1.6 million in 1970), including 424,000 full-time workers.
The average area of one such farm is currently about 42 hectares, which is more than twice the size of one average farm in each of the 15 countries of the European Union. Naturally, this average indicator hides a very wide spread: approximately 70 thousand farms, that is, 11% of the total, have an area of more than 100 hectares each and occupy 43% of all areas.
At the same time, 244,000 households with plots less than 10 hectares each (including many part-time workers) occupy only 3% of all areas.
Self-employed population employed in agriculture
Changes in the composition of the agricultural population occurred in parallel with the evolution of farms, but at a faster pace. Less and less farms use the labor of workers who are family members, except for direct land users and their spouses (in 1997 there were only 24,000 of them).
The number of permanent agricultural workers has also dropped sharply. However, this reduction is partially offset by the involvement of temporary workers. Along with this, the wives of land users are less and less likely to work on farms: 55% in 1997 against 75% in 1979.
On the whole, in 1997, 1,260,000 family members were employed in agricultural holdings, including 473,000 full-time workers, and 140,000 permanent agricultural workers. These workers make up approximately 4% of the total active population (against 8% twenty years ago).
This figure is very close to the European average. To this should be added those employed in the agri-food industry, whose number remains fairly stable and accounts for approximately 2.7% of the total active population.
The constant decline in this share was caused, during periods of rapid economic growth, an increase in production that lagged far behind the overall growth rate, despite the fact that the movement of prices for agricultural goods corresponded to the movement of average prices of GDP.
At the same time, over the past twenty years, the growth in agricultural production has been almost the same as the overall growth in production. The continued decline in the share of agricultural production in GDP is mainly due to the continued decline in agricultural relative prices due to the saturation of the European internal market and the adjustment of prices under the AFP.
Agricultural production is distributed unevenly throughout the country.
Most of the cultivated land, the largest farms and the main production are concentrated in the north and west. In this regard, there now have to face the same environmental problems as in other parts of Northern Europe. On the contrary, in the south and south-east of the country, the main part of the mountain ranges and zones unfavorable for agriculture is concentrated, with the resulting difficulties in obtaining good income from agriculture and developing the available areas.
The national agricultural production satisfies domestic consumption in excess in the main types of products, with the exception mainly of the seeds of certain oilseeds and oil cakes for livestock, and partly of fruits and vegetables, certain types of meat (for example, mutton), various tropical fruits and fishery products.
International trade
The foreign trade balance of the French agro-industrial complex first became active in 1969 and has grown significantly since then.
At present, it is steadily exceeding 9 billion euros. Today, the agricultural export surplus only partially contributes to the trade surplus, but its contribution has often been decisive in the past, especially during the period when such a trade surplus played a major role in maintaining currency parity.
This balance is the result of much larger trade flows: exports of over $35 billion.
euros, and imports - about 26 billion euros. France thus became the world's second largest exporter of agricultural products. Trade exchange is carried out mainly within the European market: 70% of exports and imports of agricultural products and 75% of the foreign trade balance falls on the countries of the European Union.
agricultural production
The total volume of agricultural production in value terms is currently about 63 billion rubles.
euro, that is, that share of the total production of the European Union (23%), which approximately coincides with the share of agricultural land. The share of the value added of agriculture in the gross domestic product (GDP) now reaches 2.3%, which corresponds to the share of the agri-food industry.
The constant decline in this share was caused, during periods of rapid economic growth, by an increase in production that lagged far behind the overall growth rate, despite the fact that the movement of prices for agricultural goods corresponded with the movement of average prices of GDP. At the same time, over the past twenty years, the growth in agricultural production has been almost the same as the overall growth in production.
The continued decline in the share of agricultural production in GDP is mainly due to the continued decline in agricultural relative prices due to the saturation of the European internal market and the adjustment of prices under the AFP.
Agricultural production is distributed unevenly throughout the country. Most of the cultivated land, the largest farms and the main production are concentrated in the north and west.
In this regard, there now have to face the same environmental problems as in other parts of Northern Europe. On the contrary, in the south and south-east of the country, the main part of the mountain ranges and zones unfavorable for agriculture is concentrated, with the resulting difficulties in obtaining good income from agriculture and developing the available areas.
Despite some reduction in the share of crop production in the value of agricultural products at the present time compared to the end of the 30s, agriculture still plays an important role in French agriculture, causing, among other things, the development of livestock industries. Therefore, we begin the analysis of specific industry problems with crop production.
Chapter II. Agriculture - basis of French agriculture:
The most important in French agriculture, as evidenced by the data on the value of production, are crops of cereals.
§2.1.
Grain farming
France is one of the great grain powers modern world. In terms of total grain production in recent years, it ranks 3rd among developed countries (after the USA and Canada) and 1st in Western Europe.
About half of the arable land is occupied by cereals, and they provide about 14-15% of the value of agricultural products.
The main grain crop is wheat (soft), which usually occupies half the area of grain crops, and exceeds the cost of all other grain crops in terms of crop value.
Wheat harvests in the postwar years increased by 4-5 times (from 6-8 million tons in the late 30s to
up to 28-30 million tons at present). The yield increased sharply (from 14-15 centners per hectare in 1934-1938 to 65 centners in 1993).
An important role in this was played by changes in the technical level of French agriculture, as well as state support (the activities of the “National Inter-Ministerial Grain Administration”).
Wheat is called the "queen" in the Paris Basin and in the north of France, which provide the bulk of the crop.
Here are the best soils, the highest level of concentration, large highly mechanized farms and cooperatives, where they contribute, provide the greatest amount of collection.
The 2nd place among cereals during most of the post-war years was occupied by oats. But the area occupied by oat crops, and fees are constantly declining. This reduction is mainly due to the decrease in the number of horses as a result of the increased mechanization of France's agriculture.
The importance of rye is declining, which retains a certain role in areas with poor soils of the Central Massif.
But the total harvest of rye decreased by more than 2 times compared to the doubled time.
But in the postwar years, the harvest of corn and barley increased. The high profitability of corn crops, as well as the patronizing policy of the state (setting high purchase prices, importing American hybrid seeds) contribute to the expansion of sowing and harvesting of corn.
On the eve of World War II, corn crops occupied only 32,000 hectares. In recent years, they have exceeded 600,000 hectares. And the gross grain harvest reached the level of 15-16 million tons. The main corn region of the country is Aquitaine, where the vast majority of corn crops are concentrated.
The growth in barley production is due to the expansion of livestock specialization in French agriculture and the increase in the intensive nature of animal husbandry.
Barley crops are distributed mainly in areas of high development of animal husbandry.
A new phenomenon in the development of grain farming in the postwar years was the spread of rice culture. The main rice-growing areas are located on the Rhone Delta.
Rice production is carried out by large farms. But it never exceeded 130 thousand tons, which does not fully satisfy the needs of the country.
Grain farming is the sphere of influence of the powerful Wheat Producers Association. It includes the most powerful association in Europe "Champagne sereal", in which 14 thousand large entrepreneurs participate. Their annual harvest exceeds 30 million tons of wheat.
The national wheat market is shrinking due to the decrease in bread consumption.
With the increase in fees, there is a problem of surpluses. Export is turning into the main market. In 2000 France sold abroad 28.8 million tons of wheat, 2 million tons of rye, 9 million tons of corn. In terms of wheat sales, France disputes Canada's second place after the United States. And for the export of corn in some years, it even takes 1st place. France accounts for 53.9% of European Union grain exports.
And the share of Germany - 14.2%, the UK - 7.5%. In world grain exports, France accounts for 11.3% (2nd place after the USA).
§2.2.Viticulture and winemaking:
It is believed that the Romans brought the vine to Gaul, but many varieties were bred for the first time in France and it was they who became the “golden fund” of world winemaking.
Back in the 1st century n. e. by order of the Romans in the south of France, 50% of the vineyards were cut down so that they would not compete with Italian winegrowers. Many French vineyards living to this day date back to the 11th-12th centuries. Five French wines have received the title of "great wines" of the world, their owners are the richest people on the planet (the Rothschild family, etc.).
Their prices are constantly rising. For example, a bottle of "Chateau Margaux" 1982. in 1994 it cost 196 dollars, and in 1997. its price jumped to $800. And there are super-expensive wines. The most expensive bottle on sale today costs 568,430 francs (approximately $112,000). This white wine "Yquem" harvested in 1787, harvested two years before the French Revolution.
Currently, grape culture is widespread in the country.
The northern border of the vineyards runs parallel to the English Channel coast for 150-200 km. O great importance viticulture and winemaking in France is evidenced by the fact that most of the peasant farms are engaged in viticulture to one degree or another.
But among them, one should distinguish between specialized viticulture and wine-making farms, which provide the bulk of marketable products, and wine-making of peasant farms, which is used for domestic consumption.
Of the areas of specialized viticulture in terms of production, the Mediterranean region of Languedoc stands out, which accounts for Ouse of all vineyards in France and more than 30% of the wine produced in the country.
Languedoc with its 300 thousand hectares of vineyards is called "the largest wine sea in the world." But the share of the Mediterranean region in the cost of production is much less. Quality wines of international renown are produced in the Bordeaux region (vineyard area 105,000 hectares), Charente (90,000), Champagne (29,000) and Alsace (14,000 hectares).
More than 1,000 are produced in France today.
wine varieties, '/4 of which are considered vintage. Simple wines usually made by mixing different varieties.
As for the high-quality ones, they are aged in separate barrels and bottled at the place of harvest. Their labels always say: "appellationd'originecontr616e".
In the post-war years, viticulture and winemaking are developing very contradictory. The areas occupied by vineyards are shrinking (from 1.5 million hectares in 1934-1938 to 1.2 million in 1970 and 0.9 million today). Great fluctuations take place in the production of wine.
In recent years, it stands at the level of 60 million hectoliters. In the record year of 1979, it was 83.5 million hectoliters, and in 1991 it fell to 42 million. These fluctuations determine the place of France in world winemaking. In the best years, it is the first manufacturer in the world, and in other years it loses the first place to its eternal competitor - Italy36.
But the reduction in production comes at the expense of cheap wines. In the 60s. the share of low wine varieties was 92% of the total, and in 1991
it fell to 58%. And now - even more.
Wine production is one of the most profitable items in the French economy. Approximately '/5 of the wines produced are exported. This is especially true of expensive varieties of wine - primarily various brands of the famous "Bordeaux". In 1995, for example, 753 million bottles of this wine were sold to France and abroad, for which producers received 14 billion francs (about $2.75 billion) for their goods, which was 2 times higher than the income of a decade ago37.
Main Importers French wine- Germany, Great Britain and the USA, to a lesser extent Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and a number of other countries.
In recent years, purchases of our country have been growing.
Of particular importance is the production and export of cognacs. France is the birthplace of this drink. Back in the 16th century. peasants from the town of Cognac made a drink that became widespread. In recent years, there has been an overproduction of cognac spirit in France. Its reserves, even if they are not replenished, will be enough to meet the world's needs for seven whole years. Modern consumption stands at 145 million bottles, of which 95% is sold outside of France.
Vigorous measures are being taken to reduce production and expand sales outside the country38.
The difficulties that have taken place in the development of French viticulture and winemaking in recent years have fallen heavily on small and medium-sized farms.
It is they who are going bankrupt, in areas of mass wine-growing unemployment is growing.
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Agriculture in France
France is the first country in Europe in terms of agricultural output. In terms of its exports, the country ranks second in the world after the United States: in total, France's agriculture exports about 20% of its products.
The best lands are owned mainly by large enterprises, they use hired labor and advanced agricultural technology. It is these enterprises that provide the bulk of the output of marketable products.
The coastal possessions of the country make it the third largest maritime owner in the world after the United States and England. This gives her great advantages in the development of marine wealth, but in the European Union, France ranks only third after Denmark and Spain in fishing and seafood.
More than half of the country's territory is occupied by lands that are suitable for agriculture. A third of the territory is occupied by forests, which make up 25% of the area of all forest areas in the European Union.
France's agriculture stands out for the good development of animal husbandry and many branches of crop production.
Livestock accounts for more than half of agricultural production. This industry provides about 3/5 of the value of marketable products and is located mainly in the north of the country. France continues to be in Europe in first place in terms of the number of cattle, is the largest producer of meat and dairy products in the EU, and thus has a great influence on the agriculture of Western Europe.
The main grain crop in France is wheat.
According to its fees, the country ranks fourth in the world after the USA, India and Canada.
Maize and barley are also of great importance. In the northwestern part of the country, in addition to them, buckwheat and oats are sown, rye is cultivated on the poor soils of the Central Region, and rice is cultivated in the delta of the Rhone River.
Almost throughout France, potatoes are grown, and sugar beets are planted in the northern French lowlands. Tobacco and hops are grown in the Bas-Rhin department, flowers are grown in the Riviera, and flax is cultivated in the Seine-Maritime department.
France is widely known for its vineyards; 10-12 million tons of grapes are harvested here annually.
550 grape varieties are planted on 1.2 million hectares (2.2% of the entire country). Accordingly, French agriculture produces more than 60 million hectoliters of wine per year, and France is the world's largest supplier of wine. Grapes are grown throughout the country, except for the north and northwest, they are used mainly for the production of wines.
However, the role of the country's agriculture is not limited to animal husbandry and wine production.
France produces a lot of vegetables and fruits. Many farms have their own small orchards and orchards, but to supply large cities and Paris, fruits and vegetables are grown in only a few areas, each of which specializes in its main crops. Apple orchards grow in Normandy and Brittany, cherries and mirabelle are harvested in Alsace and Lorraine, and nuts are harvested in Liman.
Peaches and apricots, olives and almonds are grown in the Mediterranean region, while citrus plantings are constantly increasing in Corsica and the Riviera.
Animal husbandry in France has a meat and dairy direction. France ranks third in the world in milk production, and fourth in meat production. Agriculture in France ranks first in the world in terms of the number of cattle, and in terms of the number of pigs it is second only to Germany, in terms of the number of sheep it is only slightly behind England and Italy.
Cattle are bred in those areas where the land is inconvenient for farming, but there are favorable conditions for the growth of grasses. This is the north-east of the country and the mountainous regions. And in those areas where corn, potatoes and sugar beets are cultivated, they are also engaged in pig breeding, since there is a good fodder base.
§ Agriculture
crop production
Crop production accounts for just over half of the agricultural sector's income. Cereals are still the leaders both in terms of production and exports. Producing 36 million tons of wheat, France ranks fourth in this indicator in the world and first in the European Union. The cultivation of wheat is favored by the fertile soils of the Paris Basin, the regions of Berry and Toulouse. Maize production, which in 1997 amounted to 17 million tons, has now exceeded the production of barley, which has remained at the same level (10 million tons) over the past decade. For a long period, corn was grown only in the south-west of the country, but now, thanks to sprinkler irrigation and the development of hybrid varieties, it has spread to the Paris Basin. Production of other cereals, in particular oats and rye, is declining rapidly.
In contrast, oilseeds and protein crops, for which there is a strong and significant industrial demand, have expanded over the past 15 years. Rapeseed, grown mainly north of the Loire, and sunflower, cultivated in the southwest and the Paris Basin, provide the bulk of the supply. Recently, soybean cultivation has begun in the south of the country and in the Rhone Valley.
Often grown together with grain food crops, sugar beet, the harvest of which in 1997 amounted to 34.2 million tons, provides France, ahead of Germany in this respect, first place in the world. Along with this, sugar is also produced from sugar cane coming from Martinique, Guadeloupe and Reunion. As for the potato as an industrial crop, the area under it is declining, despite the variety of its use in the food industry.
France is one of the leading countries of the Western powers, ranking seventh among all countries in the world - 4.7% of total GDP with 1% of the population. In terms of territory (551 thousand square kilometers) and population (57 million people), it is one of the largest countries in Europe. In terms of economic development, it is inferior to Germany and a number of small countries (Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg). France accounts for 17% of industrial and 20% of agricultural production in Western Europe.
In the 1980s The economic development of France was characterized by slow growth rates, mass unemployment, sharp changes in the main directions of state regulation. The structural crisis of the world economy, the transition to a new type of reproduction had a strong impact on industrial production. After the crisis of the 1980s, the French industry restored its level of production only in 1986.
France's position in the world economy has somewhat weakened (1980 - 5.7% of the world's GDP). The country's share in the industrial production of the OECD countries decreased from 6.6 to 5.7% in the 1980s. Reduced export opportunities. The unemployment rate has exceeded 10%. French industry is still underspecialized and has difficulty adapting to rapidly changing market demand. The relatively low efficiency of the production apparatus is associated with historical features development of the economy, which in the 50-60s. mainly focused on the domestic market, and in foreign relations a large place was occupied by developing countries, mainly within the former colonial empire. An important role in this process was played by the dominance of the credit sector in the structure of the economy, which usually shows excessive caution in the implementation of long-term industrial projects.
In France, the processes of restructuring the social structure of the economy, the concentration and centralization of production and capital are actively taking place. One hundred largest companies concentrate over 2/3 industrial production. In a number of industries, the monopolization of production is approaching its maximum. In ferrous metallurgy, the two largest companies, Unizor and Sasilor, concentrated 70% of steel production, Compani Generale d'Electricite (KZhE), Thomson - 50% of the production of electronic and electrical equipment, Renault and Peugeot - almost all car production. "Peshine-Yuzhin-Kulman" (PYUK) and "Imetal" - almost completely concentrated in their hands the production and marketing of non-ferrous metals.
The processes of concentration and centralization of capital and the restructuring of the French economy occur simultaneously with the process of internationalization of production and capital, which lead to the creation of huge power of TNCs. Thus, Imetal unites 62 companies operating in 25 countries. The automotive company Renault has almost 45% of its production capacity and 25% of its workforce in foreign enterprises, and so on.
The centralization of capital at the national and international level has led to the strengthening of a number of French companies in world production. The chemical company "Pechinet" has become the world leader in packaging products, the printing company "Ashet" has become the leading publisher of magazines in the world, the company "Cable de Lyon" has become the world leader in the production of electrical cables. Thomson Electrotechnical Concern took first place in the world in the production of navigation equipment for aircraft, and in Europe - in the production of consumer electronics. "Imetal" occupies a leading position in the production of lead, zinc, nickel in industrialized countries. In Western Europe, Aerospasial and Dasso-Breguet ranked first and third respectively in the aerospace industry.
The positions of French companies among the largest corporations in Western Europe and the world have been strengthened. The list of the hundred largest companies includes 8 French associations (1961 - 2). France is not only inferior to the leading countries - the USA, Japan, Germany and Britain in terms of the number of largest companies, but also in terms of their turnover. The turnover of the top ten French companies in the manufacturing industry is about 28% of the turnover of the top ten American and 45% of the German ones. 6 French banks are among the 50 largest banks in the world. These are Credit Agricole, Banc National de Paris, Credit Lyonne, Societe Genéral, Group de kesse d'eparn, Company Finance de Paribas.
Banks actively participate in the activities of industrial companies through a system of participation in the ownership of equity capital, using, among other things, holding companies, investment funds, personal unions.
Statistical indicators of France
(as of 2012)
The process of interweaving of capital has led to the fact that the entire economy is covered by several financial groups with extensive international ties. These are the Nariba, Soyuz, Rothschild and Ampen-Schneider groups. Financial groups have a serious influence on the formation of economic policy. The interests of the largest companies are defended by the National Council of French Entrepreneurs (Patronat), as well as various sectoral, intersectoral and regional organizations of entrepreneurs, which are powerful levers of pressure on the government.
Small business plays an active role in the country's economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises strengthening their positions in the period of 70-80s. The small sector is very mobile. 30% of registered business units fail after two years, and one in two fails to make it to five years. The number of firms failing is high. An obstacle in the activities of new companies is the lack of accumulation of initial and working capital. The small sector is mainly focused on services and trade.
The functioning of the economic system occurs under the powerful influence of the state on the reproductive process. In terms of the degree of development of the mining and metallurgical complex, which is manifested in the active participation of the state in the regulation and programming of the economy, in the spread of state ownership, France stands out among the largest industrialized countries. In the 80s. there was a change in the main directions of economic policy from diregism to neoliberalism, to the strengthening of the role of the market. Changes in the alignment of political forces at the government level had a great influence on economic policy, which was primarily manifested in the attitude towards the public sector. In 1981, the socialist government nationalized 9 major industrial companies and 36 banks. The public sector began to concentrate 28% of production and 16% of employees. Nationalization contributed to the modernization and financial recovery of these companies, and made it possible to avoid the transfer of some firms under the control of foreign capital.
The bloc of right-wing and center parties that came to power in 1986 adopted a denationalization program for 65 major industrial, banking and insurance companies. The largest banking groups Paribas and Societe Generale, the industrial giants Saint-Gobain, the Company Generale d'Electricite, the financial company Tivas, the military-industrial company Matra, the financial group " Suez."
The remaining public sector understates the basic, infrastructure and manufacturing industries. It provides 70% of energy production, it includes about 60% of transport and communications, over 80% of the aerospace industry, provides 40% of cars, and so on. The public sector is an important tool for economic policy. The renewal of fixed capital and the provision of conditions for reproduction in many sectors of the economy are directly decided by the state.
The regulatory role of the state finds its vivid expression in state programming and planning, which was widely developed in the first post-war years. For this purpose, official bodies were created, among which the Plan Commissariat stands out. The developed plans focused the French economy on the development of new technologies, restructuring, and strengthening of scientific research. The state is actively involved in the development of R&D. It accounts for over half of the nationwide R&D budget. The state seeks to eliminate the existing gap in scientific and technical potential between France and other leading countries.
Since the second half of the 80s. in the economic policy of the government, issues related to the creation of a single EU market were put forward as a priority. These include structural reforms, the implementation of a system of taxation and social security in accordance with the level of the Community. Structural features of the economy affect the position of France in matters of integration. It usually advocates the regulation of those industries where its competitive position is not high.
The government reduced state regulation of the economy and stimulated the private sector. For this purpose, currency control, price controls were abolished, taxes were reduced, and benefits to companies were increased. One of the cornerstones of economic policy has been to curb growth wages, thanks to which consumer spending remained at a moderate level, and the rate of profit reached the level of the early 70s.
Industry of France
Under the influence of scientific and technological revolution, there are significant changes in the sectoral structure of the economy. The importance of industry, which accounts for 26.7% of GDP, has declined (32% in 1980). In industrial production, the share of engineering products increased (up to 31%), mainly due to growth in the electrical and electronic industries and, to some extent, in general engineering. This structural shift was accompanied by a reduction in the share and, in fact, curtailment of production in traditional industries. However, in France it is still quite high specific gravity"old" industries, whose products do not withstand competition in the world market from similar products of some Western and especially "new industrial countries". A large place is occupied by the food industry (12%). Only the UK has this share.
In terms of the share of products of engineering industries in industrial production, France lags behind the leading countries. The greatest lag is noted in the branches that are carriers of scientific and technical progress and ensure the modernization of the production apparatus on the basis of the latest technology. This is primarily in the production of machine tools, a number of industries industrial electronics and means of informatics, microelectronic technology. France accounts for only 8.9% of the total production of advanced technology goods of the eleven most developed countries (Germany - 11%, Great Britain - 7.8%). It lags far behind the leading countries in the production of metal-cutting machine tools and forging and pressing equipment, yielding to the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan in terms of total volume by about 8 times. The production structure of the machine tool industry is characterized by a relatively low proportion of progressive types of metalworking equipment.
The leading place in the structure of industrial production is occupied by general engineering (12%) and transport (10%). The automotive industry is one of the foundations of the national industrial structure. The two largest companies in the country - the private Peugeot-Citroen and the state-owned Renault - provide respectively 4 and 5% of world production. cars. French companies rank second in the world, after Japan, in the production of power equipment for power plants. France remains the leading force in Western Europe's rocket industry. The Arianspace project secures the country's leading position in commercial satellite launches. It accounts for approximately 50% of the global space market.
The transition to an energy-saving type of production, high dependence on imports of fuel and energy resources caused a reorientation in the energy strategy. The main attention was paid to the development of nuclear energy, as well as alternative energy sources. The accelerated development of nuclear energy has led to a noticeable change in the structure of electricity production in the country. In 1973, nuclear power plants generated 8% of all electricity, thermal power plants - 65% and hydroelectric power plants - 27%, in 1987 the share of nuclear power plants was 76%, the share of thermal power plants decreased to 7%. The development of nuclear energy made it possible to raise the degree of self-sufficiency of France in energy from 25% in 1975 to 50% in 1980 and 58% in 1987. As new nuclear power plants were commissioned and thermal power plants decommissioned using liquid fuel, oil imports decreased .
Agriculture in France
France is the largest agricultural producer in Western Europe. Agriculture accounts for approximately 4% of GDP and 6% of the country's working population, but it provides 25% of the output in the EU.
A characteristic feature of the socio-economic structure is the rather small size of farms. The average land area is 28 hectares, which exceeds the corresponding indicators of many EU countries. There is great fragmentation in land ownership. More than half of the farms exist on their own land. Large farms are the leading force in production. 52% of agricultural land falls on farms larger than 50 hectares, which make up 16.8% of their total number. They provide more than 2/3 of products, occupying a dominant position in the production of almost all branches of agriculture.
In agriculture, group forms of farming have become widespread. The most important place among them is occupied by cooperatives, primarily for the use of agricultural machinery. Cooperatives operate in all areas of production. In winemaking, they provide 50% of production, 30% of canned vegetables, over 25% of meat trade, over 40% of dairy products. In the mid 60s. agricultural production associations appeared, which arose as an expression of the desire of small and medium-sized producers to withstand the onslaught of big capital.
Agriculture is managed both through a system of state specialized bodies and through a number of mixed companies, mainly of a sectoral nature. State regulation is carried out mainly through economic impact. There is a specialized bank "Credit Agricole" with branches in the field, the Fund for Economic and Social Development. The European Fund for Agricultural Orientation has a great influence on the development of structural policy. Stimulating methods of state influence are used both to expand the production of certain crops, strengthen the structure of farms, and reduce overproduction.
The leading industry is animal husbandry, which accounts for 2/3 of the value of agricultural products, France is the first producer of barley and sugar among Western countries, the second - wheat, wine and meat. Traditionally, such industries as viticulture, horticulture, and oyster fishing are known.
Agriculture is highly industrialized. It is second only to the Netherlands, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Denmark in terms of saturation with machinery and the use of chemical fertilizers. Technical equipment, improvement of farming agriculture has led to an increase in the country's self-sufficiency in agricultural products. For grain, sugar, it exceeds 200%, for butter, eggs, meat - over 100%.
Foreign economic relations of France
The French economy is deeply embedded in the world economy. French companies in the 80s. managed to slightly increase its share in world exports (6.5%) and reduce in imports. Foreign trade is a major factor in economic growth. About 1/5 of its final product in 1970 is exported - 19.4%. In terms of exports, France is second only to Germany in Western Europe. The structure of French exports has certain features. It has a higher proportion of agricultural goods and raw materials - 20%. At present, the liquidating positions in the country's foreign trade are occupied by machinery and equipment (43% of exports and 39% of imports). The largest share in this group of world trade is occupied by civil aircraft, electrical equipment and complete equipment for the construction of large industrial facilities, different kinds weapons. In the 80s. France's position in trade in many types of engineering products has noticeably weakened. The share in world exports of passenger cars, office equipment and computer science, special industrial equipment, machine tools, electrical appliances. This is largely determined by the peculiarities of the sectoral structure of the economy and the nature of its specialization in the international division of labor, as well as the decrease in the competitiveness of industry. At the same time, it ranks second in the export of aviation equipment, locomotives, wagons; automobiles, chemical goods - the third place; in export military equipment and weapons France holds the second place in the world after the USA. The three main arms exports are warships, aircraft and military weapons.
In terms of agricultural exports, France lags only behind the United States. More than 1/3 of manufactured products are sold on foreign markets. Agricultural exports are dominated by "mass" products - wheat, barley, corn, dairy products. The share of highly processed products - confectionery, meat products, chocolate, canned food - is lower than in other leading countries.
The export specialization of France is significantly inferior to other large countries. So, in general engineering, only one production belongs to high level specialization (jet engines) and a number - to moderate (pumps, steam engines, nuclear reactors, rotary electric power plants, refrigerators, heating equipment, agricultural machinery).
In the last decade, the import component in the country's economy has significantly increased (21% of GDP), which is associated with the strengthening of the international division of labor and the change in the competitiveness of French goods. The highest share of imports is in the production of engineering and chemical industry products (40-60%). This is largely due to the peculiarities of the development of the country's scientific and technical potential and the introduction of scientific achievements into production. France lags behind its competitors in terms of the share of R&D in GDP (3.3% in 1991, while the FRG had 3.6%). A characteristic feature of research activity is its military orientation. The share of funds allocated for military research reaches 19% of all R&D expenditures, and for the FRG - about 5%.
France conducts research on a wide range of topics. In a number of them, it occupies leading positions - nuclear power, aviation technology, communications equipment, some types of industrial electronics. In others, computer science, electronics, and biotechnology are far behind. At present, the electronics, aerospace, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries account for over 60% of industrial R&D spending. At the same time, in such industries as general engineering, metalworking, the food industry, and others, these costs are insignificant. In mechanical engineering, the share of R&D costs is much lower than in other leading industries.
Many French companies treat the EU market as their own. Over 60% of exports go to EU countries. This is the largest share among the four leading countries in Western Europe. The main trading partner of France in this region is Germany, which accounts for 16% of exports and 20% of imports. In second place is Italy (12%). Among other countries, the United States is an important trading partner (6.1% of exports). The share of developing countries in the country's trade has declined, including the share of Africa from 13.3 to 7.4% in the 80s. The disadvantage of the geographical structure of foreign trade is the significant orientation of exports to countries with slowly expanding markets. French companies are making great efforts to expand their foreign economic expansion. An important means of it is the export of capital. France accounts for 5% of the total foreign direct investment. At the same time, in the 1980s share has been reduced.
The export of capital has noticeably reoriented towards industrialized countries, where the main object of capital investment is Western Europe, but its importance has decreased. In 1960, Western European countries accounted for 86.4% of French direct investment, and in 1986 their share dropped to 57%. During the same period, the share of the United States increased sharply - from 5.4% to 36.5%. In the 80s. French companies came in sixth place among foreign investors in the United States. Basically, their investments are concentrated there in the old industries - metallurgy, coal, chemical, oil industries and the production of car tires. In Western Europe, the bulk of French capital is invested in Germany and Great Britain.
Approximately 30% of total direct investment is concentrated in developing countries, which is higher than the share of other countries. The African continent has previously held and continues to occupy a special place. It accounts for over 50% of French investments in the Third World. They are mainly concentrated in the countries of the franc zone. In addition to the primary industries, investment is carried out in manufacturing industries through the establishment of assembly or autonomous enterprises with a focus on the local market.
France is also a major importer of capital. The leading place among foreign firms is occupied by American (48%). The investments of each individual European country are significantly inferior to them.
A large influx of foreign capital began in the 1960s. The share of foreign firms accounts for more than 1/4 of the total turnover and about 1/3 of commodity exports. Foreign capital is concentrated in the key, newest branches of industry, where it often occupies a leading position. So, in the oil refining industry, it controls 52% of the industry's turnover, in the chemical industry - 55%, in agricultural engineering - 50%, in the production of computers and informatics - 49%, in precision instrumentation - 36%. Most foreign investment is in large enterprises, many of which are among the top ten firms in the industry. In the production of computers, the leading position is occupied by the American IBM and Honeywell, in agricultural engineering - by International Havester, Caterpillar, Deer & Co.
Economic assistance plays an important role in ensuring the foreign economic expansion of companies in the foreign markets of developing countries. Due to financial support from the state, companies compensate for their weakness in the development of foreign markets. In terms of aid, France is second only to the United States and Japan, and in terms of its share in GDP, it surpasses all leading countries.
Despite the increasing importance of multilateral assistance due to France's EU membership, priority remains with bilateral assistance. In the context of the restructuring of the economies of the winding countries and the strengthening of the processes of internationalization of productive forces, the volume of technical assistance has increased, which has become an important means of ensuring the activities of TNCs in the manufacturing industries. As before, a significant part of aid goes to the construction of infrastructure facilities, but the share of agricultural and manufacturing industries is increasing. France maintains fairly stable economic relations with Russian Federation. In exports, the main place is occupied by machinery and equipment, chemical and agricultural products. France imports fuel and raw materials from the Russian Federation.
Trade and payments balance of France is traditionally reduced to a negative balance. The deficit is formed mainly due to minerals, some chemical and consumer goods, including consumer electronics. In the last decade, the balance of trade in manufactured goods has worsened. Large gaps are being formed in trade with the FRG and Japan.
France acts as a net importer of technological advances. The deficit of transactions on patents and licenses in some years exceeds half of the negative balance of the country's foreign trade. In turn, 73% of the total deficit of technical exchange falls on the share of such industries as electronics, chemistry, computer science, 60% of French spending on the purchase of patents and licenses goes to the United States.
In the field of foreign economic policy, priority is given to the development of exports of import-substituting industries. Along with the idea of "a new conquest of the domestic market", the idea of a "new conquest of the Western European market" was put forward.
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