A national ambition for the French flower

Thus, on April 14 in Hyères, he outlined a plan to relaunch the French horticultural sector, focusing on investment and production.

Leading a working group on specialized productions, he brought together the horticultural sector of the Hyères basin, the beating heart of the French cut flower industry. Producers, institutional representatives, and experts examined the levers to strengthen a strategic local production, which faces international competition and numerous regulatory and technical challenges. The meeting was held in the presence of major players in the sector, notably representatives of SICA Marché aux Fleurs, FranceAgriMer, DRAAF PACA, and the VAL'HOR interprofessional organization, with its tenth president, Max Bauer, from the production college.

Emblematic local producers such as Clément Bruno and EARL Francis Fourmillier took part in the debates, which continued during a field visit.

The message is unanimous because to secure the future, we must produce more and invest better.

OUTLOOK The former minister insisted on the need to establish ten-year market outlooks, which must translate into concrete objectives in terms of hectares to plant. Thus, strengthening the sector is an issue of sovereignty. 'Sovereignty will come through production, production through investment, and investment through solid structures like SICA MAF,' he hammered.

With 80% of French cut flowers coming from its territory, Hyères is naturally designated as the spearhead of this recovery to consolidate its position as the leading national horticultural center.

'Beyond strategic visions, the discussions highlighted the daily difficulties of producers. The "phyto dead ends" constitute a major obstacle to production. The example of nematodes, which severely affect peony crops, was particularly discussed,' says Max Bauer.

He adds: 'Faced with this issue, he supported the implementation of pragmatic and rapid regulatory measures. He pleaded for an accelerated approval of solutions already proven and authorized for other crops, such as market gardening. He insisted on the importance of extending Marketing Authorizations (AMM) for minor uses and accelerating the mutual recognition of authorizations at the European level, in order to provide French horticulturalists with the same tools as their competitors.'

SICA MAF, THE PIVOT OF THE STRATEGY The visit to the facilities of SICA (Société d'Intérêt Collectif Agricole) Marché aux Fleurs of Hyères highlighted its central role in the local horticultural ecosystem. The cooperative is an essential tool for producers, offering investment aid, specialized technical monitoring, and variety diversification to better spread risks and smooth income throughout the year. Thanks to a crop declaration system, it allows market volumes to be adjusted to demand, thereby preventing price collapses.