• The Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine conducted a business survey of companies at the end of 2022.

  • In a difficult context, the number of dismissals has increased significantly and layoffs are being considered by business leaders, particularly in the food sector.

  • The Chamber notes that, as the crisis continues, other craft service businesses are beginning to suffer (dry cleaners, artistic ironwork, etc.) and fears that the coming months will still be difficult.

As everywhere in France, craft businesses in New Aquitaine are going through a difficult period, marked in particular by the energy crisis.

The Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) recorded 8,273 cancellations in the trades directory in 2022 compared to 6,866 in 2021, an increase of 17%.



“We have been observing this trend since the beginning of 2021, but it accelerated in 2022 to exceed the level of 2019, alerted the Consular Chamber on Tuesday on the occasion of the presentation of the results of a business survey.

This is a real warning signal while aid is still in effect.

At the same time, Gérard Gomez, president of the CMA Nouvelle-Aquitaine, also brings this figure closer to the end of “whatever the cost”.

From November 28 to December 8, 2022, the institution asked the leaders of regional companies about their financial situation.

About 3,000 of them responded and the results of the survey were adjusted according to the quota method, so that they are representative of the craft trades in New Aquitaine.

It shows that increases in the cost of raw materials (66%) and transport (61%) are the two main difficulties for craft businesses.

17% of food artisans are considering layoffs

The food sector is particularly affected by soaring energy prices (83%) and more particularly that of electricity (79.8%).

During the crisis, other companies such as dry cleaners or artistic ironwork companies, for example, also found themselves in difficulty. 

“But you have to understand that 60% of people questioned are not yet aware of the content of the increase, points out Gérard Gomez, president of the CMA Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

They are about to receive the first invoices.

“While distress calls are received by the Chamber, she decided to reactivate the psychological help cell, accessible via the standards of the departmental chambers.

Among the respondents, 66.6% of craftsmen say they are in a financially fragile situation, including 38.2% in a critical situation for the survival of their business and 11.8% of craftsmen plan to reduce their salaried workforce.

In the food sector, 17.4% of artisans are thinking about it.

Of the 4,000 bakers established in the region, 60% have been contacted by the Chamber.

Some did not wait for outside advice to make arrangements.

“Hot bread is over, summarizes Gérard Gomez.

They bake in the morning or if it's all day long, the baguette can't stay at 1 euro.

For those who need to be accompanied, it is first a matter of informing them of their rights.

"50% were not aware of the devices offered by the state," adds the president.

“We still have a few months before the exit of the tunnel, concludes Gérard Gomez.

We are in the eye of the storm at the moment and we have a number of uncertainties about the resilience capacities of our companies.

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  • Bordeaux

  • Gironde

  • Aquitaine

  • Raw materials

  • energy crisis

  • Bakery

  • Arts and crafts