France, a booming market for organic food

France is a booming market. The consumption of organic food has increased by 17 percent in 2017 (16 percent in 2016). 31 Percent of the organic products are imported. So, the french market offers a genuine opportunity to brands wishing to develope their export sales.

There were 8,4 bn euro sales in 2017. Representing + 1,3 bn euro compared with 2016 France is the second largest market in Europe by value

Distribution channels of organic food  in France:

• 42 % conventional food retail
• 34 % organic specialized food trade
• 14 % direct sales
• 10 % other businesses

In France, growth in organic food retail has been slowing down since the beginning of 2018, while the organic market as a whole is growing rapidly.

There are 2923 organic stores in France, 240 new organic specialist stores opened in 2018, on average 4,62 per week. That’s an increase of 100 percent in the retail surface area of specialist stores since 2010.

Over 25 % of French consumers intend to increase their consumptionin organic products and about 50 % wish to find their organic products in shops next door.

Specialized distribution, an income of € 3,6 billions, repartition by channel:

• 65,5 % national specialized distributors
• 22,93 % national groupings
• 9,94 % independants & regional distributors

French consumers are even more concerned and convinced:

• 82 % of French feel confident in organic products
• 26 % intend to increase their consumption in organic products
• € 101 average basket dedicated to organic shopping

Where do French want to find organic products?

• 90 % school restaurants
• 83 % restaurants
• 81 % working place
• 80 % hospitals
• 77 % retirement homes
• 46% proximity shops

France has the third largest organically farmed area in Europe at 1,7 bn hectares, after Spain (2,1 bn hectares) and Italy (1,9 bn hectares). Germany is on the fourth place (1,1 bn hectares).

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