Job losses expected at Conserves de Provence

Conserves de Provence, France's largest processor of tomatoes, is expected to announce job cuts. The company posted a loss of around EUR 4 million in 2004, similar to that of 2003. Conserves de Provence was taken over by Chinese firm Chalkis in April 2004. The company is also likely to drastically reduce the supply of tomatoes from local supplier and former majority shareholder Le Cabanon, putting further strain on local growers.