Maize flour and cereals market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the maize flour and cereals market in France showed relative stability in production and market size, with a slight dip in 2019. Production reached 1 280 thousand tons in 2018, supported by active exports to North Africa and West Africa, while the war in Iran contributed to price volatility for agricultural raw materials. In 2019, production declined to 1 200 thousand tons due to lower crop yields, coinciding with a global corn production shortfall from poor harvests in the United States. The market size edged down to 1 193 thousand tons. By 2020, production held steady at 1 200 thousand tons, as increased exports to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany helped clear domestic supply, and the organic farming sector began to develop, aiming for balanced supply and demand.

A significant shift occurred in 2021 when the cooperative InVivo acquired the family-owned group Soufflet, creating a European giant in the sector with €12.4 billion in turnover. This consolidation likely enhanced operational scale, contributing to a production rebound to 1 300 thousand tons and a market size expansion to 1 279 thousand tons. Concurrently, organic flour production grew, rising from 2.1% in 2016 to 3.63% in 2023. However, the market contracted sharply in 2022 to 1 157 thousand tons as the Ukraine-Russia conflict triggered a spike in wheat prices, peaking at €328.5 per ton in May 2022, which disrupted supply chains and increased costs, reducing overall production to 1 211 thousand tons.

In 2023, the market partially recovered, with production rising slightly to 1 221 thousand tons and market size to 1 171 thousand tons. After the price surge, agricultural product prices for cereals fell by nearly 28% from December 2022 to December 2023. This was accompanied by a strong increase in exports of organic cereals to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, reaching 122 000 tons in 2023, which helped balance the domestic market. Sales in the organic milling segment also grew by 9% between 2022 and 2023, indicating sustained demand in this niche.

Production maize flour and cereals in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was among the world's leading producers of maize flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking 27th globally by production volume.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 1 200 K t of maize flour and cereals, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 1 200 K t, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 1 280 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.3% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a 5.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's maize flour and cereals production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 685.1 M $ US, marking a significant uptick of 11.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 38.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.4%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from France

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of maize flour and cereals from France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 97.5 K t, down by 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 40.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (28.2% of exports in kind), Spain (18.8%), and the United Kingdom (17.1%) consistently held leading positions in France's export structure for maize flour and cereals, jointly accounting for 64.1% 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

After a two-year decline, foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from France increased. In 2020, exports totalled 55 641 K $ US, up by 7.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 51 898 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (22.3% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (21.6%), and Spain (14.7%) consistently occupied top positions in France's export structure by value, jointly accounting for 58.6% 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 maize flour and cereals to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, maize flour and cereals imports into France amounted to 93.2 K t, marking a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 63.4 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 94.3 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 32.1% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 48.9% rise.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany (24.0% of imports in kind), Belgium (22.0%), and Italy (22.0%) remained the main sources for maize flour and cereals imports into France, jointly accounting for 68.0% 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

The value of maize flour and cereals imports into France increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 55 368 K $ US, showing a robust increase of 15.5% relative to the prior year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (28.5% of imports in value terms), Germany (19.1%), and Belgium (15.6%) remained the principal suppliers of maize flour and cereals to France, jointly accounting for 63.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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