Metro sign

The French arm of German retailer Metro Group has this week concluded an agreement with the country’s vegetable growers to create a framework for annual contracts, according to Fruchthandel Magazine.

The “100% local charter” was signed in the presence of Hervé Novelli, French secretary of state for trade; Pascal Gayrard, Metro’s managing director; and Angelique Delahaye, president of the association of French vegetable growers (FNPL).

French producers have long sought such contracts. The regional logistics centres of Metro France will now reportedly finalise individual annual contracts with local vegetable growers, including fixed prices, volumes and quality standards.

The first agreement relates to the Metro depots in Paris, Tours and Colmar, with the contracts reportedly due to be signed in the coming weeks.