Strawberries market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The strawberry market volume in France showed a clear upward trajectory from 2018 to 2022, growing from 90 654 tons to a peak of 134 874 tons. This trend reversed in 2023, with total volume declining by 9.5% to 122 048 tons. In value terms, the market demonstrated strong growth, particularly in 2020 and 2023, reaching 541.3 million US dollars by the end of the period.

The market contraction in 2023 occurred alongside reported budgetary constraints on French consumers, which prompted a shift in demand toward more affordable traditional and imported strawberry options. At the same time, producers increasingly focused on consumer-driven innovation, targeting premium, organic, and long-shelf-life segments, a strategic move that supported the rise in total market value despite the lower physical volume.

Moving into 2024, regulatory developments began to shape the market environment. France enforced a ban on importing strawberries treated with thiaclopride, reinforcing sanitary controls, and reversed a planned decree that would have prohibited plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, a decision impacting retail presentation and supply chains.

Production strawberries in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

France was among the world's leading strawberry producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Strawberry production in France increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 77 460 tonnes of strawberries, marking a significant 28.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 36.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 54 320 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's strawberry production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 338.0 million US dollars, up by 58.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 56.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 188.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.9%.

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

Exports strawberries from France

Exports in kind, t

Strawberry exports from France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 8 637 tonnes, showing a 1.1% decrease compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for France's strawberry exports in volume were Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, which together accounted for 74.8% 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, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, France's strawberry exports in value terms increased. In 2020, France exported 37.7 million US dollars worth of strawberries, reflecting a 22.3% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 11.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 30.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom led the structure of France's strawberry exports in value terms, accounting for 52.5%, 19.1%, and 7.4% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 79.0% 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 strawberries to France

Imports in kind, t

France imported 54 711 tonnes of strawberries in 2020, down by 15.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 25.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 46 892 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 35.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 37.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Belgium remained the main suppliers of strawberries to France in volume terms, with a combined share of 83.3% of total imports. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, foreign strawberry supplies to France in value terms increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 175.6 million US dollars, equivalent to a modest 6.9% increase from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 164.2 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, two countries—Spain and Belgium—concentrated most of France's strawberry imports in value terms, while other markets were less significant individually.

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

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