Soya sauce market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the French soya sauce market experienced shifts in volume. The launch of the Charte soja de France and the first local soybean crushing units in 2018 aimed to boost domestic raw material supply. However, market size fell to 17 135 t in 2019 as early discussions on the EU's zero-deforestation regulation created uncertainty for imports. A rebound to 18 443 t occurred in 2020, supported by the implementation of the Egalim law, which mandated weekly vegetarian meals in collective catering, increasing demand for soya-based products like sauce.

The market expanded sharply in 2021, rising by 22% to 22 539 t. This surge was fueled by the introduction of a low-salt version of Master Weijixian soya sauce by Kraft Heinz, attracting health-conscious consumers. Growth then slowed to just 1% in 2022, reaching 22 790 t, amid regulatory moves such as French decrees restricting meat-related terms for plant-based products and advancing preparations for the EU Deforestation Regulation (RDUE). By 2023, the market contracted to 21 824 t, directly influenced by ANSES recommendations to limit soya-based foods in collective catering due to isoflavone content.

Production soya sauce in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France ranked 14th globally in soya sauce production.

Top producers of soya sauce, 2017-2020

World map of production of soya sauce, 2017-2020

Soya sauce production in France grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 2 K t of soya sauce, marking a robust 14.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 77%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.0%.

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

Exports soya sauce from France

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, France exported 814 t of soya sauce, a 13.8% increase from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 399 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 48.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 179.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy consistently led as the top destinations for France's soya sauce exports in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 22.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 21.1%, and Italy for 13.9%, together making up 57.6% 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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over this period. The value of exports varied significantly, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 1.8 times between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, France exported soya sauce worth 3 290 K $ US, a dramatic 33.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 21.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 73.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy were the largest buyers of French soya sauce in value terms. Belgium represented 24.4% of exports, the Netherlands 18.4%, and Italy 12.2%, collectively accounting for 55.0% 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 soya sauce to France

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, France imported 17 346 t of soya sauce, a moderate 7.2% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 19 085 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 15.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, growing by 27.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, China, and Japan remained the principal suppliers of soya sauce to France in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 41.3% of imports, China for 27.5%, and Japan for 13.9%, together comprising 82.6% 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 soya sauce import value grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 50 336 K $ US, showing a sharp 27.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 40.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, China, and Japan dominated France's soya sauce imports in value terms, together accounting for 78.3% 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