Market and Trade Data
Organic Basics for
the French Marketplace
June
2007
Printable version
By
Laurent J. Journo
See also …
FAS Report FR5090
Almost
half of French consumers have eaten an organic product
in the past year, with best sellers including fruits,
vegetables, eggs, and breads. Many favor organic
products because of their health and environmental
benefits, and find organic production consistent with
animal welfare.
Organic retail store
Photos courtesy of the FAS Office of
Agricultural Affairs, Paris, France |
Organic
Trends To Watch
For market newcomers looking for a niche, the organic
food service sector remains underdeveloped in France,
though many restaurants are beginning to develop organic
dishes to satisfy a growing customer appetite. Some
municipalities are also beginning to include organic
foods in school menus.
The
supermarket has traditionally served as the primary
distribution outlet for organic products, but consumers
are increasingly buying them in specialized outlets such
as Biocoop, Naturalia, and La Vie Claire. Such outlets
may sell 4,000 - 8,000 organic products, compared to
supermarkets that might carry 150 - 200 products.
U.S.
Products Designated Third Country (non-EU)
Third-country food products can be deemed organic when
the European Commission approves the country of origin
as maintaining an equivalent system of government rules
for organic production and processing. While the United
States and the EU (European Union) have not concluded an
organic equivalency agreement, France will approve U.S.
organic operators and their products on a case-by-case
basis.
Organic open market |
Under
French guidelines, the labeling and advertising of
organic products are subject to details governed by the
percentage of organic ingredients. To qualify for the
highest organic label of "organic production,"
unprocessed organic plant or animal agricultural
products and processed products must contain more than
95 percent certified organic ingredients.
Products
over 70 percent organic can advertise the percentage of
their agricultural ingredients that were grown in
compliance with organic farming methods. Products
comprised of less than 70 percent organic production may
not use the description "organic" on the label.
Unprocessed agricultural plant products and foods
consisting of a single agricultural ingredient may
display labeling stating "product under conversion to
organic farming" at time of sale if they come from a
farm that has been converting to organic farming for at
least a year prior to harvest.
How To
Obtain Organic Status
U.S. organic plant products certified under an approved
system must be approved by French authorities before
entering the country. Farmers and processors wishing to
use "organic" on their product must submit official
notification to the French Agricultural ministry, and
have their operations inspected and certified by one of
six private certifying organizations in France.
|
e-Sources |
FAS Paris:
Source of Market Assistance and Information |
The FAS Office of Agricultural Affairs in
Paris, France, can help U.S. suppliers
interested in this market, for instance with
contact information on the French approval
process for organics. For assistance,
contact the office at: E-mail:
agparis@usda.gov
For more information on the French market
for U.S. organic items, visit the office’s
website:
http://www.amb-usa.fr/fas/fas.htm |
|
Trade Show Key to Marketing Organics |
|
FAS Paris will also participate in Natexpo,
the primary French organic and food
supplements trade show, on Oct. 20-22, 2007.
More information on the show is available
at:
http://www.amb-usa.fr/fas/exporters/shows.htm
|
Organic
products and foods labeled organic must travel in sealed
packaging and/or containers to prevent content
substitution during transportation. Packages and
containers must identify the exporter, and display any
stamps and numbers for batch identification. Upon
delivery, the consignee must check packaging seals and
labeling information.
Importer
or Distributor Best Bet for Entry
Whether entering the retail, processing, or food service
sectors, U.S. exporters can best approach the French
market through an importer or distributor. U.S.
companies with branded organic foods can also advertise
through trade shows and specialized magazines. Most
supermarket chains have their own organic labels.
Best
prospects include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy
products, soy-based products, processed vegetable
products, muesli, oils, beverages, and food complements.
Laurent
J. Journo is an agricultural marketing assistant with
the FAS Office of Agricultural Affairs, Paris, France.
E-mail:
agparis@usda.gov |
