Nine companies representing 85 percent of the smoked salmon processing sector in France have committed to a quality charter, which guarantees the product is fully "made in France," reports LSA Conso.

The companies who have signed up so far include Meralliance, Labeyrie, Delpeyrat, Fjord King, Guyader, Moulin de la Marche, Saumextra and Le Borvo.

The document, which focuses on six main points, guarantees first and foremost that all stages of the smoked salmon process -- from the control of fish to the arrival in the workshops, to the packaging -- takes place in France.

It is a way of differentiating themselves from other products prepared in Poland - the leading producing country in Europe.

"Let's be realistic - faced with Poland, we will never win, if you look at the cost of labor required, the battle of price and volumes,” said Jacques Trottier, general manager of Labeyrie and president of the Smoked Salmon Commission within the Fresh Catering Enterprises Association (ETF).

“It's up to us to differentiate and to be known among the French consumers for our know-how.”

Since 2015, the price of raw material has increased by more than 50 percent and remains at a high level.

While Norway and Scotland, the main producing countries are voluntarily limiting their production for health and environmental reasons, the global demand for salmon is very strong.

Under these conditions, the French processors - France is the second largest European country of consumption and production of smoked salmon - are striving to value their production with an average price increase of 2.1 percent between 2017 and 2018.

The charter is a result of fifteen years of work but it is still needed for the main companies to to communicate with the consumers.

"A consideration is underway for the establishment of a logo that could see the day in 2019," added Guillaume Argand, president of Meralliance Armoric.