Paddy rice market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French paddy rice market volume showed considerable fluctuation from 2018 to 2023. Growth to over 81 000 t in 2019 was supported by sustained production in the Camargue region, backed by investments in genetic progress for quality. A sharp production drop to 62 340 t in 2021, occurring while EU degressive import duties for rice from Myanmar and Cambodia were still in place, contributed to a market contraction to 66 870 t. The subsequent removal of these duties in January 2022 coincided with a severe drought that hampered European output, leading to a surge in imports to 23 183 t which offset domestic shortfalls and pushed the market volume back above 81 000 t.

Market dynamics were further altered by significant trade and structural shifts. India's suspension of broken rice exports in September 2022 tightened global supply, affecting availability and prices in France. Concurrently, the processing sector consolidated with the Avril group's acquisition of Soufflet's activities in 2022, making it the primary French processor as part of a broader industry modernization drive to confront international competition.

Underlying trends in quality and sustainability gained prominence. The Camargue's protected geographical indication (IGP) continued to add value, while consumer demand grew for specialty varieties like basmati and jasmin. Organic paddy rice production expanded to represent about 10% of French output. By 2024, the cultivated area in Camargue had rebounded by 14.4%, and the regulatory landscape evolved with the strengthening of EU labeling and quality rules for rice.

Production paddy rice in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

France produced 75,460 tonnes of paddy rice in 2020, marking an 8.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 71,430 tonnes. That year also saw the largest drop of 22.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 15.6% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

France's paddy rice production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 34,834 thousand US dollars, up 3.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value decreased by 11.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 28,936 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 26.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 16.8%.

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

Exports paddy rice from France

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. From 2017 to 2019, exports varied by a factor of two between the highest and lowest points. In 2020, France exported 5,704 tonnes of paddy rice, a sharp decline of 45.8% compared to the previous year. The peak was in 2019 with 10,525 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 88.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for France's paddy rice exports in volume terms were Italy (60.6% of exports), Belgium (16.5%), and Spain (12.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 89.4% 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

The market experienced notable volatility over this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2017, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, France's paddy rice exports were valued at 2,633 thousand US dollars, down 38.9% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4,307 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 79.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (62.0% of exports by value), Belgium (16.2%), and Spain (10.9%) were the largest buyers of paddy rice from France. Combined, they represented 89.0% 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 paddy rice to France

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, France imported 10,687 tonnes of paddy rice, a strong increase of 14.8% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was in 2018 at 4,953 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 44.6%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 with an 87.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guyana (38.4% of imports by volume), Italy (19.6%), and Cambodia (11.0%) were the primary suppliers of paddy rice to France. Together, they accounted for 68.9% of total import volumes.

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 paddy rice import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 5,294 thousand US dollars, a strong rise of 20.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 3,774 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (26.3% of imports by value), Guyana (25.0%), and Spain (10.5%) were the main destinations for paddy rice imports to France. Collectively, they made up 61.8% 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