Browse Data and Analysis

The French food processing sector encompasses approximately 15,500 companies ranging from small family-owned businesses to some of the world’s largest multinationals. Widely regarded for global leadership in innovative technology, quality and marketing, French food processing companies provide employment to more than 433,000 people, generating $53 billion in export sales.

France is the third largest industrial hemp producer in the world and the top producer in Europe. The French hemp production and processing industry is heavily regulated with national and European Union laws and regulations.

A French ban on the sales of fruit and vegetables with identifying stickers threatens exports of U.S. sweet potatoes (approx. $20 million in sales annually) and grapefruits ($8 million annually).

During the Covid-19 pandemic the French government designated the retail sector as essential and most firms had a continuity in operations.

Corsica is a mountainous French island found off its southern coast in the Mediterranean Sea.

The food processing industry an important sector for France. In general, it has successfully managed the Covid-19 crisis by adapting to cost increases and more stringent sanitary measures.

France bans the cultivation of crops that are derived from modern biotechnology and limits research into their use.

France imported $1.38 billion of food and agricultural products from the United States in 2019.

France, as a member of the European Union (EU), generally follows EU directives, regulations, and obligations.

France as a member of the European Union (EU-27) has implemented EU regulations for the import of animal and plant products.