French farmers grapple with rising mechanisation costs and extreme heat

French farmer Jérémie Brout, who converted his 120‑hectare Eure farm to organic production, reports a 15 % increase in machinery‑related charges since the switch. To offset higher equipment costs, he extended loan terms from five to up to nine years, keeping repayments stable.

Meanwhile, young vegetable grower Matthieu Mamprin, operating 2 hectares of crops on a 20‑hectare estate, faces severe summer heat that has scorched potatoes and stressed tomato plants. The heatwave has reduced yields and pushed him to invest in cold‑storage and a new building, while he receives no public aid for his operations.