Rye market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French rye market opened the period at 101.3 thousand tons in 2018, with rye increasingly used as an intermediate crop for energy production (CIVE), particularly winter rye for methanation. By 2019, market volume grew to 122.1 thousand tons, supported by a 16.6% increase in export volumes and sustained intra-European demand for forage quality grain, especially for shipments to North and West Africa.

Market volume fell to 109.7 thousand tons in 2020 as domestic production continued a longer-term decline and a greater share of the crop was directed toward animal feed in livestock-raising regions. A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with volume surging to 177.7 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by markedly improved growing conditions in France and globally, alongside favorable weather, which led to a record cereal harvest.

After the 2021 peak, the market contracted to 126.5 thousand tons in 2022 due to a drop in production. It then partially recovered to 141.8 thousand tons in 2023, indicating a stabilization following the earlier volatility.

Production rye in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France ranked 17th globally in rye production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of rye, 2017-2020

World map of production of rye, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 132.4 K t of rye, a decrease of 2.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 20.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 108.5 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 135.4 K t. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 24.7%.

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

Exports rye from France

Exports in kind, t

France's rye exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 26 168 t, marking a sharp increase of 46.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 25.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 10 596 t, which also saw the largest decline of 49.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 68.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain were the main markets for France's rye exports in volume terms, accounting for 35.7%, 33.5%, and 17.5% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 86.8% 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 rye exports in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value amounted to 6 431 K $ US, up 40.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 44.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 718 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain were the leading destinations for France's rye exports in value terms, with shares of 41.9%, 27.9%, and 18.5%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 88.3% 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 rye to France

Imports in kind, t

The rye import market showed significant volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 at 4 634 t and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports to France registered 3 401 t, a decrease of 26.6% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 218.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Italy were the primary sources for France's rye imports in volume terms, representing 54.1%, 16.4%, and 11.0% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 81.6% 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 rye imports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 3 109 K $ US, an increase of 13.7% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 317.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 61.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Spain, and Czechia were the key sources for France's rye imports in value terms, accounting for 68.7%, 7.5%, and 5.3% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 81.4% 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