France becomes a net importer of agricultural products for the first time in almost 10 years

France has become a net importer of agricultural products for the first time in almost a decade, raising concerns about the competitiveness of Europe’s largest agricultural country. The trade balance for raw products – including grains, meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables – has worsened for the third year in a row and reached a slight deficit of €300 million in 2025, according to data from French customs published on Friday, the Financial Times reported.

The results were weighed down by higher prices for some imported goods such as cocoa and coffee, as well as a weak dollar. Wheat exports – usually one of France’s top export categories – also suffered from a poor 2024 harvest, which has weighed on 2025. Agricultural imports rose 9% to €19.7 billion, their sixth straight annual increase and a new all-time high.

Insee senior economist Dorian Rouchet said that, apart from temporary factors that are likely to improve next year, the data point to more worrying structural weaknesses in the sector. France has lost much of the comparative advantage it once enjoyed in agriculture, he said. He cited farm closures after owners retired, livestock declines and neighbouring countries improving the quality of their produce as reasons.

The situation remains better in the broader agricultural and food category, which includes high-margin wines and spirits, where France is traditionally a world leader. But even in this category, the country only managed a small trade surplus of €200 million last year, the lowest in 25 years and €5 billion less than the year before.

Among the reasons is trade tensions with the United States, which escalated after President Donald Trump initially threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200% on French spirits, including champagne and cognac. Wine and spirits exports fell by about half in the fourth quarter.

The data comes as French farmers have been protesting for months, claiming threats to their incomes, taking tractors to Paris and throwing manure at city halls. Farmers warn they are caught between rising costs — for fuel, fertilizer and energy — and retail prices that do not cover their costs.

Farmer unions also complain that excessive administrative and environmental requirements are hurting their position in world markets and making it impossible to compete with imports produced to less stringent standards.

Tags: France, agricultural products