Fresh grapes market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh grapes in France experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 6 342 thousand tons in 2018, it declined to 5 595 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered to 5 978 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp drop followed in 2021 to 5 196 thousand tons, before a strong rebound to 6 336 thousand tons in 2022 and stabilization at 6 321 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market reached 18 400 million US dollars in 2023, reflecting higher prices or a shift toward more valuable production.

Several regulatory and production factors shaped these movements. From 2018, prefectoral decrees in the Marne department fixed prices for grape fermage, providing local cost regulation for growers. In 2020, grape prices fell by 3–6% and authorized yields dropped by nearly 25%, squeezing producer profitability and contributing to the subsequent volume contraction. The Champagne region also faced stringent quality and technical constraints, requiring significant labor and adjustments to work organization.

The sector responded to structural challenges, including France's reliance on imports for about 63% of its fresh grape consumption. To regain market share, the industry focused on innovation, such as the development of a new disease-resistant table grape variety adapted to consumer preferences. Simultaneously, a decline in fresh grape supply was accompanied by the rise of long‑duration storage, helping to regulate availability. Administrative simplifications for the harvest in Champagne aimed to ease seasonal labor organization amid maturity and workforce constraints.

Production fresh grapes in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was among the world's leading producers of fresh grapes from 2017 to 2020, ranking fifth globally by production volume.

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 5 858 K t of fresh grapes, marking a moderate increase of 6.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 268 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 25.1% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 12.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of fresh grapes in France was valued at 15 083 M $ US, showing a solid increase of 22.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 28.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.9%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 22.9%.

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

Exports fresh grapes from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 12.0 K t of fresh grapes, representing a modest advance of 6.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 25.7%. In contrast, the peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 15.0 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for France's fresh grape exports in kind. Switzerland accounted for 25.7% of exports, Germany for 15.0%, and the Netherlands for 11.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 52.2% 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, M $ US

In 2020, France exported fresh grapes worth 30.8 M $ US, representing a 22.9% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 25.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 27.8%. The peak export value occurred in 2018 at 34.7 M $ US.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main buyers of fresh grapes from France in value terms. Switzerland accounted for 27.2% of exports, Germany for 14.6%, and the Netherlands for 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 51.5% 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 fresh grapes to France

Imports in kind, K t

Imported fresh grape volumes in France increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 131.7 K t, constituting a robust uptick of 13.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 89.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 38.7%. In 2019, imports rebounded with the largest increase of 30.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of fresh grapes to France in kind were largely concentrated on Italy, which accounted for 71.5% of total flows. Other countries together formed the remaining share.

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 decline, France's fresh grape import volume increased. In 2020, France imported fresh grapes worth a total of value_last_year M $ US, which is 26.6% greater year-over-year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 185.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and South Africa were the main sources of fresh grape imports to France in value terms. Italy accounted for 64.0% of imports, Spain for 11.6%, and South Africa for 5.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 81.2% 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