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

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 ...