Tankers full of milk from across northern France waited to offload their precious cargo at one of the country’s largest yoghurt factories on a recent morning, but that ritual is in jeopardy as the nation ponders how to cut energy use.

Like many countries, France plans to shut down businesses first when there isn’t enough gas or electricity, as European nations face energy shortages this winter following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But energy cuts, or even mandated cuts for businesses, can have unexpected and surprising economic consequences, such as: B. A cessation of production of French consumers’ beloved yoghurt.

The French are big in yoghurt, only behind the Dutch in per capita consumption. In addition to being a breakfast staple, it is often eaten for lunch or as a snack.

But making yogurt is an energy-intensive process.

For Patrick Falconnier, director of the Eurial Ultra Fresh factory south-east of Paris, it’s very simple: “No more gas” means “no more yoghurt”.

After passing strict quality controls, the milk from the tankers is transferred to tanks where it is briefly heated to a high temperature to kill naturally occurring bacteria.

The pasteurized milk can then be made into yoghurt or other dairy products and then kept refrigerated before being quickly shipped to supermarkets.

“We’ve been told we could have gas shutdowns at certain times this winter and we’re really serious about that,” Falconnier told AFP.

If a lack of gas prevents pasteurization, “we won’t be able to take deliveries of milk, which means it won’t be collected and that will be dramatic for our farmers, who will be forced to throw away their milk,” said Falconnier, who is also chairman of the Syndifrais association, which brings together 22 yoghurt manufacturers responsible for 70 percent of French production.

The impact would be quickly felt by consumers within a few days as supermarkets receive milk deliveries on a daily basis.

“We make products with an average shelf life of 30 days. We make them to sell the next day,” Falconnier said.

“If I close a factory, I stop production and sales and I can’t supply my customers,” he added.

The Eurial Ultra Fresh factory, which employs 461 people, is part of the agricultural cooperative Agrial, which has four such facilities.

About 90 percent of their production is sold under brands of major retailers in France and several other neighboring European countries.

Falconnier fears the industry may not survive such disruptions.

The pandemic has worn down the staff with many absences due to illness.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the increase in the price of energy, packaging and fruit has increased costs by 20 percent.

“We are weak. We cannot deal with another crisis by closing factories. It’s just not possible,” Falconnier said.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne warned industry leaders in late August that energy rationing was a risk this winter and urged them to quickly curb consumption.

Government ministers have started meeting with industry groups on how to reduce consumption, with the aim of reducing consumption by 10 per cent within two years.

Falconnier says he was considering switching to methane, a gas that can be obtained by breaking down organic matter from farms, landfills and sewage treatment plants.

But he estimates this would take five to 10 years and sees little opportunity for a rapid reduction in energy use.

“We cannot make investments for a period of six months,” Falconnier said.

“Not being able to supply a factory from one day to the next is a standstill.