Higher fuel, fertiliser expenses see French farm production costs rise

FRENCH farm-production costs climbed 6.2% in November from a year earlier on higher costs for fuel and fertiliser, the Agriculture Ministry said.

An index of agricultural-input costs rose to 119.4 points in November from 112.4 points a year earlier, the ministry said in a report on its website yesterday. The gauge, which has 2005 as a base year, rose from 118.7 in October.

Fertiliser makes up about 12% of the index, and the measure for plant nutrients climbed 9.4% to 135.2 points. The energy and lubricants index, which accounts for 11% of farming costs, jumped 23% to 130.7 points.