Uncooked pasta market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French market for uncooked pasta grew substantially from 429 thousand tons in 2018 to 619 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion occurred within a long-established regulatory framework that mandates the use of durum wheat, ensuring product quality, and was characterized by a concentrated industrial landscape dominated by major players like Panzani and Lustucru.

Market volume corrected to 561 thousand tons in 2021, coinciding with the onset of a significant rise in consumer prices for pasta. Despite a sharp spike in durum wheat prices in 2022 driven by drought in Canada, which increased production costs, the market recovered to 588 thousand tons in 2022 and stabilized at 596 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was partly supported by growing consumer interest in premium pasta segments, such as products made from high-protein wheat and bronze-die extruded pasta.

By 2024, consumption had returned to the levels seen during the pandemic, with a 2.5% volume increase compared to 2023. The industry witnessed strategic developments including the signing of a Durum Wheat Sovereignty Plan in February 2024 to secure the supply chain, and the rapid growth of the fresh pasta segment, which saw the entry of major industrial player Panzani.

Production uncooked pasta in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked 9th globally in the production of uncooked pasta.

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

France's uncooked pasta production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 276 K t of uncooked pasta, marking a 12.1% year-over-year rise.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 42.9 K t of uncooked pasta, a 26.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 17.4%, with an annualized rate of 5.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 33.9 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 45.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Czechia, and Switzerland were among the largest buyers of uncooked pasta from France, accounting for 15.4%, 10.6%, and 9.3% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 35.3% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

France's uncooked pasta exports increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 76.6 M $ US, a 22.8% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 57.0 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a decrease of 8.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Switzerland, Belgium, and Czechia played notable roles as buyers of uncooked pasta from France, representing 13.9%, 13.5%, and 9.2% of exports in value terms, respectively. Their combined share reached 36.7% of total exports, which, while significant, was not dominant.

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

World map of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020

Imports uncooked pasta to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's uncooked pasta imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 385.2 K t, an 11.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 233.6 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 30.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 47.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Spain continued to lead as the primary sources for France's uncooked pasta imports in kind, together accounting for 85.9% of total flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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

In 2020, France imported 441.9 M $ US of uncooked pasta, a strong increase of 20.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 29.8%, with an annualized rate of 9.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 1.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Italy and Spain were the dominant suppliers of uncooked pasta to France, together accounting for 83.4% of total imports in value terms, while other partners formed a less significant background.

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

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