Chestnuts market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French chestnut market volume grew from 12 704 t in 2018 to 16 995 t in 2020. This initial expansion was aided by the 2018 designation of the Cantal region as a 'Site Remarquable du Goût', which raised the profile of local chestnuts. However, persistent challenges from ink disease and the cynips pest constrained domestic production, leading to increased imports to satisfy demand.

After a contraction to 14 980 t in 2021, the market rebounded to 16 423 t in 2022. That year saw a 20% production rise in the Lot department, even as the sector grappled with price speculation. Diversification into processed chestnut products accelerated, and new startups entered the biodegradable packaging segment. Meanwhile, the organic chestnut cultivation area expanded sharply, fueling export growth.

In 2023, market volume fell sharply to 11 420 t. This drop was primarily due to poor European harvests, with Italy and Spain/Portugal reporting declines of 30-50% and up to 80% respectively. Consumer preference for ready-to-use processed chestnuts and adverse weather events like late frosts and drought further strained supply, resulting in a 30% price decrease for growers in Dordogne.

Production chestnuts in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France ranked 11th globally in chestnut production volume.

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 8 730 tonnes of chestnuts, an 18.8% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 53%, representing an annualized growth rate of 15.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 15.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 52.5% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of chestnut production in France reached 48 537 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 25.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 51.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.9%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 4.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 26.7%.

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

Exports chestnuts from France

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, France exported 2 618 tonnes of chestnuts, a 3.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2019, at 2 526 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018, at 3 431 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 26.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a 17.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain were the main buyers of French chestnuts in volume terms, accounting for 30.4%, 16.5%, and 16.2% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 63.1% of total chestnut exports from France.

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

After two years of decline, chestnut exports from France increased in 2020, reaching 14 553 thousand US dollars, a moderate 9.8% rise year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, at 13 256 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 17.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for French chestnut exports in value terms were Germany, Switzerland, and Spain, accounting for 38.6%, 15.2%, and 13.6% of exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 67.4% 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 chestnuts to France

Imports in kind, t

Chestnut imports into France increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 10 883 tonnes, a 22.2% improvement from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 11.7%, with an annualized rate of 3.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2018, at 7 435 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 23.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Italy, and Portugal were the key sources for chestnut imports into France in volume terms, representing 37.5%, 30.7%, and 25.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 93.4% 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, K $ US

In 2020, foreign chestnut supplies to France totaled 36 204 thousand US dollars, a 16.0% gain year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was in 2019, at 31 218 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal led as the top suppliers of chestnuts to France in value terms, accounting for 34.3%, 33.6%, and 26.9% of imports, respectively. Their combined share reached 94.7% 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