Beans market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French fresh beans market opened the period at 414 thousand tons in 2018, but climate difficulties in the Southwest growing region led to a 12% production shortfall. Market volume then dropped sharply to 279 thousand tons in 2019 as exports surged, reducing domestic availability.

After a slight decrease to 271 thousand tons in 2020, the market recovered to 351 thousand tons in 2021 before easing to 326 thousand tons in 2022.

By 2023, volume fell further to 246 thousand tons, reflecting a broader consumer shift where households purchased fewer fresh vegetables while maintaining expenditure levels amid higher prices, partly due to growing interest in plant-based proteins and dried legumes.

Production beans in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, France ranked as the 6th largest producer of beans between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

France's bean production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 336.8 thousand tonnes of beans, which remained virtually unchanged compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.9%.

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

Exports beans from France

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 31.1 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 113.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.6-fold difference. In 2020, exports increased by 4.8% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 72.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 246.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Belgium, and Italy were the top buyers of French beans, accounting for 52.6%, 25.1%, and 14.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 92.4% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, France exported beans worth 71.3 million US dollars, marking a 10.1% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 64.8 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 76.5 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Belgium were the principal destinations for French bean exports in value terms, accounting for 37.6%, 29.8%, and 10.9% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 78.3% 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 beans to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's bean imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 47.2 thousand tonnes, showing a decrease of 4.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 15.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco, Kenya, and the Netherlands were the main sources of bean imports to France in kind, accounting for 54.5%, 12.8%, and 8.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 75.4% 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

After a two-year decrease, France's bean imports from abroad increased in 2020. The import volume reached 114.4 million US dollars, up by 1.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 113.1 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 22.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Kenya, and Spain were the main sources of bean imports to France in value terms, accounting for 56.8%, 18.8%, and 5.0% of imports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 80.7% 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