Corn oil and fractions market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French corn oil market expanded from 43 702 t in 2018 to 56 004 t in 2021, driven by industry investments in nutritional quality research and a domestic shortfall in vegetable oil production that boosted import dependence. This growth phase saw imports rise from 2 478 t to 5 008 t over the period, compensating for relatively stable domestic output.

Market volume peaked at 56 936 t in 2022 before contracting to 50 814 t in 2023. The decline coincided with sharp increases in raw material and packaging costs, which pressured consumer prices, alongside a shift in French preferences toward specialized, gourmet vegetable oils that reduced demand for standard corn oil.

Entering 2024, updated Codex Alimentarius standards for corn oil and stricter national regulations on used oil management and packaging inks set a revised framework for the industry. Concurrent drought affecting olive oil supply and a continued trend of lower household oil purchases further shaped the market environment.

Production corn oil and fractions in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

France ranked 7th globally in corn oil and fractions production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of corn oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of corn oil and fractions, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, corn oil and fractions production in France declined. In 2019, output reached its peak at 69 000 t, but then fell to 65 100 t in 2020, marking a gradual decrease of 5.7% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of contraction, France's corn oil and fractions production increased in value. In 2019, it hit a low of 73 286 K $ US, but rebounded to 76 633 K $ US in 2020, showing a measured uptick of 4.6% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.9%.

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

Exports corn oil and fractions from France

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of corn oil and fractions from France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 13 894 t, reflecting a steep drop of 33.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 48.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Greece, and Israel were the key partners for France's corn oil and fractions exports in kind. Italy accounted for 22.9% of exports, Greece for 16.6%, and Israel for 15.5%, together representing 55.0% of total 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

Exported values of corn oil and fractions from France fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 16 355 K $ US, indicating a reduction of 26.2% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 49.9%, with an annualized rate of 20.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Greece, and Israel remained the key destinations for France's corn oil and fractions exports in value terms. Italy made up 22.2% of exports, Greece 18.8%, and Israel 17.0%, together taking 58.0% of total 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 corn oil and fractions to France

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, corn oil and fractions imports into France amounted to 3 522 t, corresponding to a drop of 9.8% relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 33.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 478 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 905 t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 57.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Spain, and Italy were the key partners for France's corn oil and fractions imports in kind. Belgium accounted for 51.2% of imports, Spain for 15.4%, and Italy for 13.2%, together making up 79.9% of total 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

There were noticeable fluctuations in import values during the period. In 2018, imports hit a trough of 2 824 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 20.6%. By 2020, imports peaked at 7 251 K $ US, corresponding to a sharp increase of 101.5% compared to 2019, resulting in a 2.6-fold gap between the low and high points.

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

In 2017-2020, Belgium, Spain, and Italy were the principal sources for France's corn oil and fractions imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 62.3% of imports, Spain for 9.4%, and Italy for 8.4%, jointly representing 80.0% of total flows.

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

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