The cold and snow and disrupt the distribution industry

The snow and ice blocking roads and large parts of the French economy. Shipments delayed at stores, industrial production lagged, frozen agricultural products, sites blocked, no area is immune. The lack of salt in some areas may aggravate the situation.

• Transport

"We sold out of salt in Britain. We need between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes, said yesterday morning the prefecture of C?tes-d'Armor. A freighter was delivered yesterday 400 hundred tons of salt in Saint-Malo. The motorway companies claim to have sufficient stocks of salt, but are not certain of being able to deliver.

The trucks – including those transporting salt – should get up to three prefectural authorities to travel in snowy areas. From his side, Eurostar has restricted the movement of Saturday's train.The main airports remained open, but traffic remains disrupted, with delays and cancellations.

• Agriculture

Agriculture is doubly affected by the weather. The cold wave disrupts production. Leeks, caught in the frozen ground, are difficult to uproot, salads, even in greenhouses, are unusable. Small consolation for the vegetable: the prices of fruits and vegetables are on the upside.

Dairy producers are also victims of bad weather, the milk collection is rendered impossible, especially in Britain. The roads are blocked by snowdrifts. Producers are forced to dump their milk.

• Building

"When temperatures are near zero, it is virtually impossible to sink a concrete" classic ", says one expert.Traditionally, sites are interrupted when temperatures become negative.

This data is taken into account when setting schedules. But this year, the duration of the episode is likely to exceed estimates.

• Distribution

Deliveries are not guaranteed, especially in Britain. For the moment, no shortage is feared, but supply problems are starting to be felt in the spokes.

Fortunately consumers are reluctant to run the stores, despite sales. Declining attendance reaches 60% depending on the charge of a Carrefour in the Toulouse region.

In contrast, the Printemps Haussmann in Paris, he sold a jacket every 7 seconds!

• Industry

Plants PSA Peugeot Citro?n, Sochaux and Mulhouse have stopped production Friday night to Saturday because it was delivered in pieces. Trucks suppliers could not move. This represents a lost production of about 2,000 cars.

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