“Yesterday, Savencia CEO Mr. Salczer and the director of Savencia, Ms. Godet Morisseau, told us that they wanted to end the commercial relationship with OP Les 3 Rivières, following a notice period of 18 months, namely on 15 April 2028,” the producer organization (OP) Les 3 Rivers in a press release dated 7 October.
Read also: Producer organization: “We have a second buyer for our milk, Savencia, in addition to Lactalis”
The OP says it is surprised and deplores Savencia’s attitude, which it considers cold, “whereas in the past it has always been willing to discuss and build together.” According to the producers, the company “simply reproaches them for defending the income of the 615 producers in the OP! As a reminder, since the beginning of the year, the milk price paid is 50€/1000L below the cost price. »
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The OP Les 3 rivières was created in 2021 through the merger of the OP Perreault, the OP Les laitiers du Val de Loire (ALVL), and the association of milk collectors Clepso Bongrain Savigné-L’Evèque (ALLCBS), amid a dispute with the AOP Sunlait. The president at the time, Claude Marchais, explained that he wanted to “move away from the logic of total confrontation with Savencia and merge into a single, more local OP.”
Shockwaves after Lactalis
Faced with the situation, the FNPL denounces “a new shockwave (that) is hitting the dairy sector,” following the cessation of milk collection already announced by Lactalis. “By deciding to end its business relationship with the OP Les 3 Rivières, with 18 months’ notice, Savencia is in turn leaving producers uncertain about the future of their milk collection,” warns the union affiliated with FNSEA.
“Producers need visibility and stability. The FNPL calls on all stakeholders in the sector to address this issue, which has become crucial to the future of French dairy production,” says Yohann Barbe, its president, who raises another question, “are cooperatives meant to systematically take over the volumes that some private operators no longer want?” A situation that has already put some stakeholders in difficulty in the past.
