Alliaceous vegetables market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for alliaceous vegetables in France increased significantly, rising from 661 thousand tons to a peak of 1 162 thousand tons. This expansion was initially supported by a recovery in domestic vegetable production from 2017. The growth continued as the sector adapted to the February 2020 law mandating the sale of fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables without plastic packaging starting in 2022, which prompted supply chain adjustments. By 2021, the market was further driven by the growing importance of processing to address climate-related vulnerabilities, which bolstered demand for raw produce, alongside regulatory clarifications for the plastic packaging rules.

The market volume contracted sharply to 954 thousand tons in 2022, primarily due to record inflation in fresh produce prices that significantly reduced consumer purchasing power. This economic pressure led many consumers to shift from fresh and frozen vegetables towards more economical canned alternatives. Although the State Council's cancellation of restrictions on plastic packaging for all fresh produce in December 2022 provided flexibility for distributors, it did not counteract the overall demand decline. A modest recovery to 973 thousand tons followed in 2023, as sales by French companies in the sector grew, supported by demand from out-of-home catering and retailers, even though half of French consumers continued prioritizing cheaper products over premium or organic options.

The structure of the market evolved through consolidation, with the Italian wholesaler Orsero strengthening its French presence by acquiring distributor Capexo and wholesaler Blampin fruits in 2022, followed by the group Omer-Decugis acquiring wholesaler Champaris France in 2023. Long-term regulatory developments, such as the France 2030 plan allocating 200 million euros annually to revitalize the fruit and vegetable sector and revised EU marketing standards set for 2025, continued to shape the operating environment for fresh produce.

Production alliaceous vegetables in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France ranked 27th globally in alliaceous vegetable production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Alliaceous vegetable production in France grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, France produced 925.8 K t of alliaceous vegetables, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 35.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.6%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 666.0 K t, which saw a 2.8% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 33.2% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 158.7 K t of alliaceous vegetables, a slight 2.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.4%, averaging 4.3% per year. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 196.1 K t, which represented a 40.0% surge. The largest drop was in 2019, with a 21.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy were the top markets for France's alliaceous vegetable exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 28.7% of exports, Germany for 12.1%, and Italy for 11.4%, together making up 52.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Alliaceous vegetable exports from France increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 151.8 M $ US, up 3.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 128.0 M $ US, which saw a 4.1% decline. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 15.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium were significant but not dominant buyers of French alliaceous vegetables by value. Germany accounted for 18.9% of export value, the Netherlands for 15.7%, and Belgium for 13.7%, together representing 48.3% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 187.7 K t of alliaceous vegetables, a 2.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.5%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 192.8 K t, which saw a 0.8% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 3.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium led France's alliaceous vegetable imports by volume. Spain accounted for 30.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 17.8%, and Belgium for 12.9%, together comprising 61.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to France in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

France's alliaceous vegetable imports increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 218.6 M $ US, a significant 12.7% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 17.7%, averaging 5.6% per year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 178.4 M $ US, which saw a 3.9% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium were the main sources for France's alliaceous vegetable imports by value. Spain accounted for 39.7% of import value, the Netherlands for 12.0%, and Belgium for 8.7%, together making up 60.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to France in value, 2017-2020