Paris feels impact of continued blockade of capital over low food prices, red-tape and threats to rural life
At the vast Rungis food market outside the French capital, wholesale fruit and vegetable companies were feeling the effect of French farmer protests, as tractors and hay-bales blocked motorways in what some demonstrators have called the “Siege of Paris”.
“Merchandise hasn’t arrived, there’s definitely an impact,” said Célia, who works at a wholesale fruit and vegetable firm with 12 staff, supplying shops and restaurants in the city. “It’s carrots, potatoes, cabbages, all kinds of fruit and vegetables. Deliveries are very difficult because of the roadblocks. Around 40% of our vegetables haven’t been delivered today and it has been difficult since yesterday for both French and European produce. Everyone is affected and it will continue like that for the coming days.”
