Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French wheat and meslin flour and cereals market opened the period at 6 011 K t in 2018. It contracted to 5 794 K t in 2019, primarily due to delayed sowings and adverse climatic conditions—including heatwaves and autumn rains—which reduced wheat yields and availability. A partial recovery to 5 824 K t occurred in 2020, supported by sustained high wheat prices linked to unfavorable weather in the United States and lower Russian production, which helped maintain domestic output.

Market volume expanded to 5 889 K t in 2021, a period marked by rising fertilizer costs driven by higher natural gas and coal prices. However, in 2022, the market fell back to 5 799 K t. This decline was driven by the war in Ukraine, which disrupted Russian-Ukrainian wheat exports and triggered a global price surge, compounded by tighter EU ergot regulations that risked wheat downgrading and increased production costs for energy, fuel, and packaging.

By 2023, the market reached its highest point in the period at 5 980 K t. This growth followed a gradual decline in wheat prices from the 2022 peak, owing to improved European harvests and rising Ukrainian exports, which reconfigured trade flows. The market also saw the launch of traceability initiatives, such as QR-code labeling and fungicide-free flour ranges, responding to consumer demand for sustainable products.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked as the 14th largest global producer of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals.

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, France's production of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals rebounded. In 2020, output reached 5 700 K t, showing minimal change from the 5 688 K t recorded in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 2.2%. The lowest production level occurred in 2019, which also saw the steepest annual drop of 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals production in France grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 3 057 M $ US, marking a significant 11.6% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 21.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 302 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 8.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the strongest annual increase of 19.0%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 245.0 K t of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals, showing negligible variation from the 244.9 K t exported in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes decreased by 31.8%, averaging an annual decline of 12.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019, which also saw the sharpest annual drop of 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (14.0% of export volume), Angola (12.5%), and Spain (9.6%) were the largest buyers of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals from France. Together, they accounted for 36.1% of total export volume, with many smaller partners making up the remainder.

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 decrease, France's exports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals by value increased. In 2020, exports totaled 131.4 M $ US, reflecting a strong 11.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 11.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 118.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decrease of 11.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France's export market for wheat, meslin flour, and cereals by value was diverse. The United Kingdom (14.1% of export value), Spain (10.4%), and Angola (9.6%) together contributed 34.1% of total export value, while numerous other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported approximately 368.8 K t of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals, representing a modest 5.1% increase from the 350.9 K t imported in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 4.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019, which also saw the largest annual decline of 2.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (57.1% of import volume), Spain (10.7%), and Belgium (10.5%) formed the core group of suppliers for France's imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals by volume, together accounting for 78.2% of total imports.

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

France's imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals by value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 197.3 M $ US, reflecting a strong 17.6% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 31%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (51.7% of import value), Italy (12.6%), and Spain (10.6%) were the main sources for France's imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals by value, together accounting for 74.9% of total imports.

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

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