Banana in France: an unrivalled variety of sources

  • Published on 13/05/2016 - Published by LOEILLET Denis
  • FruiTrop n°240 , Page From 90 to 90
  • Free

The French market is singular in many respects.

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Its first characteristic is that it is supplied by every possible source: its own produce from the French West Indies (Martinique and Guadeloupe), ACP produce from all regions (from West and Central Africa to South America, as well as the Caribbean) and dollar zone produce (Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, etc.). There are also multiple entry points: direct imports, shipments via Member States, green bananas but also ripe bananas (border zones), as well as sea-freight and road-freight logistics. It is also a European hub. France imports some 840 000 t of bananas, whereas its consumption is 553 000 t (2015). So nearly 300 000 t are forwarded to Europe. In terms of sea-freight logistics, France’s entry points are the ports of Dunkirk (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Surinam and the Dominican Republic), Port Vendres (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana), and for very small volumes, the Fos-sur-Mer container port.

The fact that the French market is a banana hub makes it very complex to evaluate the market shares by source. In terms of the gross supply (production + imports + introductions), the ACPs account for 53 %, French produce for 31 %, the dollar zone for 12 % and shipments from other Member States (unspecified origin) less than 5 %. According to the experts, we can assume the FWI market share is approximately 37 %, while it is approximately 50 % for the ACP (Africa + Dominican Republic + Surinam), and approximately 14 % for the dollar zone.

The consumption calendar has been very stable for years. The banana is preferentially consumed from February to May and September to November. The consumption trough falls in July to August, and to a lesser extent in December to January. 

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