Apple market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French fresh apple market volume grew from 1.25 million tonnes in 2018 to 1.53 million in 2019, supported by the mandatory introduction of weight-based sizing and labeling rules that standardized fruit presentation. In 2020, volume dipped to 1.47 million tonnes as producers faced rising input costs, which squeezed margins and constrained output.

Market volume recovered to 1.55 million tonnes in 2021, driven by increased imports to compensate for tighter domestic supply. Growth continued, reaching 1.73 million tonnes in 2023, boosted by a 10% rise in French apple production that year. Throughout the period, recurrent high production costs and ongoing regulatory requirements for sizing and traceability shaped industry conditions.

In 2024, cool and damp weather during flowering slightly affected the harvest, while the cancellation of a ban on plastic packaging for fresh fruit opened new options for apple presentation.

Production apple in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was among the world's top apple producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

France's apple production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production reached 1,743 thousand tonnes, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.8%, averaging 0.9% annually. The highest production was recorded in 2019 at 1,754 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's apple production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,184 million US dollars, up 9.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1,620 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 410.4 thousand tonnes of apples, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 7.6%. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 23.3%, averaging an 8.5% annual decline. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 381.4 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 611.5 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 37.6%, whereas 2018 saw the biggest rise at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's apple exports were relatively evenly distributed. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom (22.1% of export volume), Spain (17.0%), and Germany (10.9%)—together accounted for 50.0% of total exports.

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

After two years of decline, France's apple export value increased in 2020, reaching 514.2 million US dollars, a strong gain of 18.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 433.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 23.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom (25.3% of export value), Spain (14.8%), and Germany (11.9%) were the leading markets for France's apple exports, together comprising 52.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports apple to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 137.6 thousand tonnes of apples, a significant decrease of 14.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 19%, averaging a 6.8% annual decline. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 116.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 31.2%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 38.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and Chile were the primary sources for France's apple imports, together accounting for 57.6% of total import volume.

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 apple import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 99.9 million US dollars, reflecting a small drop of 2.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 26.7%, with a compound annual decline of 9.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 147.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.2%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019 at 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (19.7% of import value), Chile (19.6%), and Spain (13.8%) were the main markets for France's apple imports, together representing 53.1% of total import value.

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

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