Globe artichokes market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French globe artichoke market contracted significantly between 2018 and 2023, with total volume falling from 50 720 t to 31 013 t. This decline was primarily driven by a sustained reduction in cultivated area, which dropped by 22.6% nationally between 2018 and 2022 due to soil exhaustion after three years of cultivation and declining yields.

The sector faced acute pressure in 2022 when severe drought and heatwaves cut yields by 10–17%, disrupting the vegetative cycle. Simultaneously, the closure of Brittany's freezing facility, which had processed 4 000–5 000 t annually, and the shutdown of France's only artichoke processing plant removed key outlets for fresh produce. An unusual overlap of the Breton and Roussillon seasons flooded the market in June, causing prices to collapse.

Consumer demand also weakened, as artichokes were increasingly seen as difficult to prepare and lost appeal among younger generations, with household purchases stagnating or falling between 2020 and 2023. To compensate for the shrinking domestic production, imports—mainly from Spain—rose sharply, reaching 83.2% of total imports in 2024.

Production globe artichokes in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked as the world's 9th largest producer of globe artichokes.

Top producers of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

World map of production of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

France's globe artichoke production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 26 830 tonnes, which represents a 29.5% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 43.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 17.2%.

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

Exports globe artichokes from France

Exports in kind, t

France's globe artichoke export volume decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 301 tonnes, reflecting a 12.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 45.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Belgium, and Germany were the core destinations for France's globe artichoke exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 28.4% of exports, Belgium for 20.4%, and Germany for 14.5%, together making up 63.3% 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, K $ US

France's globe artichoke export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 12 481 thousand US dollars, showing a strong rise of 14.1% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 16%, with an annualized decline of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 902 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 26.6%.

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

Over the period 2017-2020, Italy, Belgium, and Germany remained the leading destinations for France's globe artichoke exports in value terms. Italy held a 28.1% share, Belgium 20.3%, and Germany 14.7%, collectively accounting for 63.2% 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 globe artichokes to France

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, France's imports of globe artichokes totaled 14 204 tonnes, marking a moderate decline of 3.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 9 745 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 36.8%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 50.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain was the dominant supplier of globe artichokes to France, accounting for 75.0% of total imports in volume, with other countries sharing the remaining portion.

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

France's globe artichoke import value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 23 414 thousand US dollars, representing a small advance of 1.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 22 159 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the dominant partner for France's globe artichoke imports in value terms, holding a 70.6% share of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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