Oats market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French oat market began the period with a gradual decline in production, influenced by a long-term reduction in cultivation area. The introduction of the EGalim law in late 2018 aimed to strengthen transparency and sustainability in the agricultural sector, setting a new framework. Concurrently, the entry of the Swedish company Oatly into the French market in 2019 with its oat-based beverages began to stimulate consumer interest in plant-based alternatives.

From 2020 to 2021, sustained consumer demand for healthy and plant-based foods, including oat snacks, bakery items, and drinks, drove a significant expansion of the domestic market. This trend culminated in a market volume peak of 431 thousand tons in 2021, supported by continued product innovation and the growing availability of oat-derived products in retail.

Starting in 2022, the market contracted sharply due to geopolitical tensions that pressured European grain markets and affected supply conditions. This was compounded by the ongoing competitive pressure on oat cultivation area from other cereals. Despite the stable consumer preference for healthy options, these factors led to a reduction in the overall market size to 239 thousand tons by 2023.

Production oats in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was among the world's leading producers of oats from 2017 to 2020, ranking 16th globally by production volume.

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

France's oats production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 387.0 thousand tonnes of oats, representing a moderate drop of 3.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 28%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, France's oats production value increased. In 2020, the output of oats was valued at 115.7 million US dollars in France, indicating a substantial rise of 22.9% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 94.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 23.2%.

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

Exports oats from France

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, the volume of oats exported from France declined. In 2020, France exported 71.0 thousand tonnes of oats, showing an abrupt reduction of 35.6% from the year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 110.4 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 56.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland were the leading destinations for France's oats exports in kind, accounting for 26.0%, 23.5%, and 14.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 63.9% 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

After a two-year rise, France's oats exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports reached 21 244 thousand US dollars, marking a robust loss of 17.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 45.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 812 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 52.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Italy were the leading destinations for France's oats exports in value terms, accounting for 25.8%, 24.8%, and 15.5% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 66.1% of total export 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 oats to France

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imported oats volumes in France amounted to 14.9 thousand tonnes, representing a 15.9% increase from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 6.4 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 49.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 99.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, Belgium, and Finland were the main markets for oats imports in kind to France, accounting for 27.6%, 15.8%, and 14.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they took 57.9% 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

France's volume of oats imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume came to 7 639 thousand US dollars, which is 62.0% stronger versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 46.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 421 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Spain, and Finland formed the main group of destinations for oats imports in value terms to France, accounting for 25.6%, 18.1%, and 10.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 54.4% of total import flows.

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

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