Apples, pears and quinces market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French market for fresh apples, pears and quinces saw significant shifts between 2018 and 2023, supported by strong industry organization and changing consumer habits. The role of the National Apples Pears Association (ANPP) provided a stable foundation for the sector. A marked increase in the share of households buying organic apples, rising from 13.7% to 20.2% between 2015 and 2019, alongside expanding organic orchard area, helped drive market volume up to 1.8 million tonnes in 2019. Although the market dipped slightly to 1.7 million tonnes in 2020, the ongoing growth in organic production volumes continued to shape the industry's structure.

Following a period of stabilization in 2021, the market entered a phase of renewed expansion. Strategic investments by major players played a key role, such as Fruits & Compagnie's 2022 launch of a project to plant 100 hectares of apple trees in the Hautes-Alpes, aimed at reconquering the domestic market. This move preceded a substantial 10% year-on-year increase in French apple production in 2023, which was a primary driver behind the market volume reaching 1.9 million tonnes. The same year, the company Blue Whale solidified its position as Europe's leading apple exporter, underscoring the influence of large private operators on market dynamics.

Entering 2024, industry reports highlighted a stable apple harvest and a 14.6% increase in pear production compared to the previous year, despite challenges from adverse weather affecting organic yields. High production costs remained a pressure point, while company strategies increasingly focused on the domestic market due to international competition and trade barriers. A notable rise in demand for processed products like juice and compote, partly fueled by high orange concentrate prices, opened a new growth avenue for apple-based products, adding further dimension to the market.

Production apples, pears and quinces in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France held the 10th position globally in the production of apples, pears, and quinces.

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

France's production of apples, pears, and quinces grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,894 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of apples, pears, and quinces production in France increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2,362 million US dollars, up 11.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 16.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,745 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 21.9%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 426.8 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, showing a moderate improvement of 8.9% from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.5%, with an annualized decline of 8.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 391.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 37.0%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 622.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (21.6% of exports in volume), Spain (16.8%), and Germany (11.2%) were key buyers of apples, pears, and quinces from France. Together, they accounted for 49.6% of total exports in volume, while the remaining 50.4% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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 cross-border shipments of apples, pears, and quinces rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 532.4 million US dollars, a notable increase of 19.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 12.8%, with an annualized rate of decline of 4.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 444.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 23.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (24.7% of exports in value), Spain (14.6%), and Germany (12.3%) formed the primary group of destinations for France's apples, pears, and quinces exports in value terms. Their combined share was 51.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 224.1 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, down 7.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.1%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 224.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 23.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (20.3% of imports in volume), Italy (17.5%), and Belgium (16.8%) consistently led the country structure of France's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume. Together, they accounted for 54.6% 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

In 2020, France's imports of apples, pears, and quinces were valued at 252.0 million US dollars, an uptick of 16.1% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.1%, with an annualized decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 217.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 21.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 277.5 million US dollars.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Italy (19.3% of imports in value), Belgium (16.0%), and Chile (10.9%) jointly represented 46.1% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 53.9%.

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

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