Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh (table) grapes in France are a seasonal domestic crop primarily produced in southern France, with the main consumer season typically running from August to October. Official French statistics reported 47,359 tonnes of table grapes produced in France in 2024, and sector sources identify the South-East as the dominant production zone. Despite domestic production (notably in Vaucluse), France has historically been structurally import-dependent for table grapes, with FranceAgriMer reporting imports far exceeding exports in 2018. France also has notable AOP table-grape origins such as Chasselas de Moissac and Muscat du Ventoux, which can be marketed into late autumn/early winter via cold storage.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic seasonal production
Domestic RoleSeasonal fresh fruit for domestic consumption with limited export volumes relative to imports
SeasonalityFrench table-grape harvest and main market season are typically August–October; certain AOP table grapes (e.g., Chasselas de Moissac, Muscat du Ventoux) are marketed into late autumn/around year-end using cold storage.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Muscat de Hambourg
- Chasselas
- Alphonse Lavallée
- Italia
- Cardinal
- Prima
Physical Attributes- EU marketing standards for table grapes define minimum quality requirements (sound, clean, practically free of pests/parasite damage) and require bunches/berries to be sufficiently developed and in satisfactory condition for handling and transport.
Grades- Extra Class
- Class I
- Class II
Packaging- EU marketing standards require packaging materials to be clean and suitable and packages to protect grapes during handling/transport (table-grape specific marketing standard).
- UNECE FFV-19 provides a parallel international reference for table-grape marketing and commercial quality control.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Vineyard harvest (hand-picking and sorting) → packing/conditioning → cold storage (where used for late-season programs) → wholesale/retail distribution across France
Temperature- Cold storage is used in some French AOP table-grape supply chains to extend marketing into late autumn/around year-end (e.g., Muscat du Ventoux; Chasselas de Moissac).
Shelf Life- French consumer guidance notes table grapes can be kept up to about 15 days under refrigeration, supporting the importance of temperature discipline in domestic distribution.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-EU shipments of fresh grapes into France/EU can be refused entry or delayed if phytosanitary certification and border-control documentation are missing, incorrect, or not aligned with EU plant-health requirements and French DGAL/SIVEP border inspection procedures.Align pre-shipment phytosanitary certification with EU Plant Health Law requirements; ensure TRACES-NT workflows and border control post procedures are completed correctly before arrival.
Food Safety MediumPesticide residue compliance is a recurrent trade risk for table grapes, which are covered by EU-wide maximum residue level (MRL) rules and monitoring programs; non-compliance can trigger border actions or market withdrawals.Run residue testing against EU MRL requirements for table grapes and maintain spray/harvest interval documentation for buyer and authority verification.
Logistics MediumFresh grapes are quality-sensitive to transport delays and cold-chain deviations; disruptions can shorten saleable life and increase shrink in French retail/wholesale channels, particularly for off-season imports.Use validated cold-chain procedures (pre-cooling, temperature logging, rapid distribution) and define contractual quality/temperature clauses with carriers and receivers.
Sustainability LowEnvironmental scrutiny (notably around pesticide use) can increase compliance, monitoring, and buyer requirements in key French production basins such as Vaucluse, where formal reduction initiatives exist for table grapes.Document integrated practices (e.g., DEPHY/Ecophyto-aligned methods where applicable) and maintain auditable records on pest management and environmental measures.
Sustainability- Pesticide-use reduction and lower-impact practices in key production areas (e.g., Vaucluse table-grape DEPHY network cites mechanical/thermal weeding, prophylaxis, and decision-support/risk analysis for dose optimization).
FAQ
When is the main season for French fresh (table) grapes?The French Ministry of Agriculture describes table grapes as a fruit whose season runs mainly from August to October in France, with harvesting depending on varieties.
Which areas are highlighted as major French production zones for table grapes?FranceAgriMer’s sector figures highlight Vaucluse as the leading department for table-grape production, with other key producing departments including Tarn-et-Garonne, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône and Hérault, and the French Ministry of Agriculture notes production is mainly in southern France.
What are the key documents and systems needed to import fresh grapes into France from outside the EU?EU plant-health rules generally require a phytosanitary certificate for fruits entering the EU (table grapes are not listed among the exempt fruit categories), France’s DGAL/SIVEP manages phytosanitary border inspections for plant products from outside the EU, and TRACES-NT is the European Commission platform used for SPS certification workflows and official controls documentation.
What quality classes apply to table grapes sold fresh in the EU/France?EU rules include a specific marketing standard for table grapes under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011, which uses the classes Extra, Class I and Class II and sets minimum quality requirements for grapes marketed fresh.