The agricultural and agri-food sector

France is the leading agricultural power in the European Union, accounting for 18% of the total production of the 27 member countries, ahead of Germany (13.4%), Italy (12.3%) and Spain (10.6%).

The agri-food industry, the third largest contributor to the French trade balance, is the country’s leading industrial sector.

The sector in figures

• €198 billion in revenues in 2023 (Source: Ania)
• 416,436+ active farms.
• 26.9 million hectares of agricultural area used.

France’s ambitions

France is fully committed to structuring an innovative, healthy, sustainable and traceable agricultural and agri-food sector.

As part of “France 2030”, the French government is investing €2.3 billion to fast-track the third agricultural and food revolution, which is based on three pillars: digital technology, robotics and genetics.

The aim?

“To continue to feed France, by improving the quality of our food and our competitiveness, while lowering carbon dioxide production.”

An innovative ecosystem

With 215 startups and businesses listed as FoodTechs and AgriTechs, France is the European champion of agricultural innovation in Europe and the third largest market in the world.

In addition, France is one of the world’s leading exporters of agricultural and agri-food products, which are worth €83.2 billion. Its flagship products include wine, dairy products and cereals. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty)

The French agricultural sector is at the forefront of innovation with the adoption of advanced technologies, such as precision agriculture, biotechnologies and the digitalization of farms.

Since 2015, the French government has been committed to supporting innovation in agricultural machinery across the country. In addition, the agricultural sector is fully mobilized to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2050.

To do this, France aims to develop systems and equipment for the agri-ecological transition, agricultural robotics, and digital and connected agriculture.

In 2023, the government’s actions led to the organization of a commission with the sector’s professional associations to:

• Strengthen the centers of expertise and R&D
• Create synergies between academic training and the needs of the sector
• Improve the international competitiveness of manufacturers based in France

Organic and quality production

With 10.4% of the utilized agricultural area accredited organic in 2023 and 14.4% of French farms committed to organic farming, France is the European champion of organic agriculture. (Source: Agence Bio)

Furthermore, French agricultural products are renowned for their quality and their compliance with strict health and environmental standards, which reinforces their attractiveness on international markets.

• Yanmar, a global leader in the development, manufacturing and sale of agricultural machinery, has established itself on the vineyard market in France, in Reims, at the heart of the country’s Grand Est region.

• Allegro, a Czech startup specializing in drone services (agriculture, real estate, civil engineering), has launched a research and development unit in the Grand Est region, within the “myeasyfarm” incubator.

• Bayer, a major player in the field of agricultural sciences, chose the town of Marle, in the Hauts de France region, to establish its European biosolutions center. This center supplies 80 countries in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa).YANMAR, leader mondial dans le développement, la fabrication et la vente de machines agricoles, s’est implanté sur le marché des vignobles en France, dans la région Grand Est, à Reims.