Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French capsicum and pimenta fruits market demonstrated steady growth early in the period, with volume expanding from 143.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 170.3 thousand tons in 2020. This rise was supported by robust consumer demand, with 67.4% of households purchasing peppers, and the introduction of new product formats like mini-peppers in targeted packaging that attracted younger consumers. Regulatory initiatives such as the EGALIM law began to frame fair commercial practices in the supply chain.

After 2020, market volume entered a contraction phase, falling to 138.4 thousand tons by 2023. Key drivers of this decline included regulatory restrictions like the ban on the pesticide thiacloprid, which from 2022 limited imports of treated peppers from major suppliers Spain and Mexico, and the implementation of a decree prohibiting plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, which shifted distribution toward bulk sales. External shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted import logistics in 2020 and the war in Ukraine that raised freight and energy costs from 2023 onward, added further pressure on market volume.

On the domestic front, the launch of heated greenhouse production in Orléans in 2021 marked an effort to boost local supply, but overall production continued to trend downward. Strengthened phytosanitary controls and upcoming mandatory calibre labeling requirements introduced additional operational adjustments for market participants.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

France's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 37 770 tonnes, marking an 18.8% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 27.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruits produced in France reached 61 709 thousand US dollars, up 33.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 16.1%, with an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 46 077 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.7%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country shipped 48.0 thousand tonnes abroad, a 7.4% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 14.1%, averaging 4.5% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 37.9 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.0%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and Czechia were notable buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from France, but their combined share was not dominant. Switzerland accounted for 18.9% of exports in kind, Italy for 18.2%, and Czechia for 12.6%, totaling 49.7% of all 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 exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits rebounded in 2020. The country exported 78.5 million US dollars worth of these fruits, a robust 21.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64.9 million US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest decline of 9.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany were the top destinations for France's capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms. Switzerland led with 26.9% of exports, followed by Italy at 14.9% and Germany at 10.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 52.3% 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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 180.5 thousand tonnes, a modest 8.5% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 11.1%, averaging 3.6% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 149.7 thousand tonnes, which also had the largest decline of 7.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 11.1% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain and Morocco dominated France's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in kind, together accounting for 86.9% of the total. The remaining imports were spread across a variety of other countries.

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

Following a two-year decrease, France's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits increased in 2020. The country imported 253.3 million US dollars worth of these fruits, a 23.4% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 253.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Morocco were the primary sources for France's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms, while other markets played a smaller role individually.

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

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