Rising Fuel Costs Squeeze French Bakers

Soaring fuel prices linked to the Iran war are squeezing French bakeries that rely on oil- or gas-fired ovens, as well as rural businesses and households dependent on fuel for transport and heating. Kevin and Sandrine Luce, bakers north of Paris, now get only 1,200 liters of heating oil for roughly what bought 2,000 liters in March, leaving less money for wages and investment. About a quarter of France’s more than 34,000 bakeries use oil- or gas-fired ovens, putting them at risk from rising energy costs; Luce has kept baguette prices unchanged to avoid adding to customers’ costs. The strain extends beyond bakeries: a rural food-truck operator says higher diesel costs have made some distant jobs unprofitable, while limited public transportation leaves many rural residents reliant on cars. The French government has announced aid for commuters and families facing winter energy costs amid concern that renewed fuel-price pressure could stir rural discontent.