Asparagus market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the French asparagus market volume expanded from 25 179 t to 36 698 t. This growth was underpinned by the established role of cooperatives such as Copadax and Maïsadour in organizing production and marketing, alongside geographical concentration in regions like Val de Loire and Alsace with IGP-labeled varieties that strengthened product differentiation. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 unexpectedly recruited new consumers, increasing household penetration by 11% due to the AOPn Asperges de France campaign, which boosted demand despite supply chain disruptions and a 13% rise in average prices.

After reaching a high in 2020, market volume moderated to 35 681 t in 2021 as post-pandemic consumption stabilized, though purchase quantities remained 5% above the three-campaign average, supported by targeted outreach to younger demographics where green asparagus represented 27% of volume. The introduction of Cerescon's harvesting robot modernized picking efficiency. Favorable weather conditions led to record national output in 2022, helping maintain market volume while direct sales and year-round stockpiling increased availability. In 2023, an exceptional harvest driven by beneficial weather pushed production to 27 340 t, stabilizing the market at 33 369 t, with the growing segment of wild asparagus (ornithogale des Pyrénées) broadening the product offering.

Entering 2024, the sector continues to leverage reserve stocks and direct sales channels to ensure supply throughout the year, mitigating seasonal price pressures. Updated support policies, including subsidies for claw purchases and investment financing for new installations, aim to enhance competitiveness against imported asparagus, sustaining the production growth trend observed in recent years.

Production asparagus in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

France ranked 10th globally in asparagus production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, asparagus production in France rebounded. In 2020, France produced 26 760 tonnes of asparagus, marking a sharp 33.9% increase from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 19 990 tonnes, with the largest annual decline occurring in 2018 at 4.7%. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 23.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's asparagus production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 155.7 million US dollars, showing an abrupt 45.1% improvement compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 88.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 26.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%.

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

Exports asparagus from France

Exports in kind, t

France's asparagus exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 4 792 tonnes, showing only a marginal fluctuation from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 536 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 37.4% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.2%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 18.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the main destinations for France's asparagus exports in volume terms. Switzerland accounted for 66.7% of exports, Italy for 12.5%, and the Netherlands for 4.4%, together representing 83.6% 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, K $ US

France's asparagus export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 27.885 million US dollars, which is 8.1% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 24.9%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the largest buyers of French asparagus in value terms. Switzerland made up 68.1% of exports, Italy 8.5%, and the Netherlands 4.7%, collectively forming 81.3% 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 asparagus to France

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, France imported 14 731 tonnes of asparagus, reflecting a modest 5.5% decrease from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 034 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 29.9% that year. The maximum volume occurred in 2019 at 15 592 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 55.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Spain, Peru, and Germany—together absorbed 79.0% of France's total asparagus imports in volume terms.

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, K $ US

France's asparagus import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 61.541 million US dollars, which is 9.8% more than the year before. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Spain, Peru, and the Netherlands consistently led in France's asparagus import value structure. Spain accounted for 61.5% of imports, Peru for 12.9%, and the Netherlands for 7.0%, jointly making up 81.3% 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