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Quick read / The essentials on the French almond industry

Almond cultivation in France is experiencing remarkable growth, but domestic production remains insufficient to meet strong market demand. In 2023, French almond consumption reached 40,000 tonnes, while national production peaked at just 1,200 tonnes. This disparity underscores the importance of further developing the sector. Amandiverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , supports French producers in this expansion by offering varieties adapted to market needs.

Almonds play a central role in the food industry, particularly in confectionery (calissons, nougat), pastries (almond flour for macaroons, biscuits), and healthy snacks (energy bars, dried fruit). Demand for plant-based alternatives such as almond milk is also booming. In addition, almonds are finding their way into the cosmetics industry, where sweet almond oil is prized for its moisturizing and softening properties. Almond shells are used to make natural abrasives and biomass.

With a rapidly increasing cultivated area (rising from 300 hectares in 2016 to 2,300 hectares in 2023), the French sector is trying to catch up. Market structuring involves the installation of new processing units and crushers, in order to limit dependence on Spanish and Californian imports. Buying almond plants from Amandiverse means investing in a crop of the future and benefiting from the expertise of a major player in the sector.

A growing but still insufficient sector

Almond cultivation in France is experiencing significant growth, but domestic production remains well below demand. In 2023, almond consumption in France reached around 40,000 tonnes , while domestic production was only 1,200 tonnes . This major difference highlights the development opportunity for the French sector. The French almond market is mainly supplied by imports, particularly from Spain and California. This dependence on imports opens up a promising perspective for French producers who wish to invest in local almond processing and thus capture a larger share of this growing demand.

Opportunities in the food industry

Almonds are a key ingredient in the food industry, widely used in several sectors. In confectionery, they are essential for the production of traditional products such as calissons d'Aix-en-Provence and nougat , two specialties that already showcase French almonds. Pastry is also a major outlet: almond flour is an essential ingredient in the preparation of biscuits, macaroons and other desserts, particularly to meet the growing demand for gluten-free products.

Healthy snacking is booming, and almonds are playing a key role. They are increasingly present in energy bars, dried fruit mixes, and diet products. Furthermore, the trend toward plant-based dairy products offers another promising opportunity: almond milk is a popular alternative to cow's milk among vegetarian, vegan, and lactose-intolerant consumers. Finally, almonds are increasingly being incorporated into gastronomy and catering, particularly in savory dishes such as tagines or dried fruit sauces , thus confirming their versatility.

Untapped potential in the cosmetics industry

The cosmetics industry is another major outlet for almond processing. Sweet almond oil is particularly sought after for its moisturizing and softening properties. It is incorporated into many skin and hair care products. Demand is constantly increasing, driven by growing consumer interest in natural and organic products.

Almond shells, often considered by-products, are also valued in the cosmetics industry. They are used as gentle abrasives in facial and body exfoliants, thus contributing to waste reduction and the recovery of by-products in the sector. In addition, some brands exploit the nourishing and protective properties of almonds in the manufacture of moisturizers and hair care products.

Other uses and diversification of outlets

Almonds also find their place in more varied uses, ranging from direct consumption to processing into edible oil. The sale of almonds for consumption as is, that is, for consumption as is, represents a significant market segment, particularly through mass distribution and specialized channels such as organic stores and delicatessens.

Processing almond oil into edible oils represents a promising opportunity. This oil, prized for its nutritional properties, is used both in cooking and in the manufacture of dietary and cosmetic products. Furthermore, almond milk production is experiencing a notable boom due to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives to animal milk.

The use of almond wood for heating or sculpture represents another form of recovery, although more marginal. As for almond shells, they can be recycled and used for agricultural mulch , the manufacture of natural abrasives or even the production of biomass energy , which contributes to the optimization of the sector and the reduction of waste.

Key figures and market trends

The almond market in France and Europe is undergoing rapid growth. In 2023, the area under almond cultivation reached 2,300 hectares , compared to only 300 hectares in 2016 , illustrating a renewed interest in this crop. With national production forecast at 1,700 tonnes in 2024 , the French industry is seeking to make up for lost time and reduce its dependence on imports.

Almond consumption in Europe is on an upward trend, with markets such as Germany, France, and Spain among the largest consumers. In France, almond flour is particularly popular, making it one of the countries with the highest demand in Europe. Innovation in the agri-food sector also plays a key role in this dynamic: in 2020, nearly 6,000 new products containing almonds were launched in Europe , an increase of 7.5% compared to 2019.

Organic production remains marginal in France, with an estimated output of less than 100 tonnes per year. The organic market is thus largely supplied by imports, 60% of which comes from Spain and the rest mainly from Italy. This deficit represents an opportunity for producers wishing to invest in organic almonds, which are benefiting from growing demand.

Initiatives and key players in the sector

Faced with the challenges of structuring the sector, several initiatives and major players are mobilizing to support the production and processing of almonds in France. La Compagnie des Amandes , for example, has planted 210 hectares of orchards in partnership with arboriculturists to boost French production. Other companies such as Daco France and Color Foods are actively involved in the processing and marketing of local almonds.

A crushing plant project in the Var region is currently under development, with the goal of being operational for the 2025 harvest. This infrastructure is essential for structuring the sector and reducing dependence on Spanish crushing plants, which currently dominate the European market. Installing processing units on the national territory would allow producers to improve their profitability by reducing costs related to transport and intermediaries.

Conclusion

Almond cultivation in France represents a unique opportunity to meet ever-increasing national and European demand. With production still insufficient, there are many development prospects, particularly in almond processing. The agri-food industry, cosmetics, and other markets such as oils and biomass offer lucrative opportunities for producers looking to add value to their harvest.

To support this dynamic, it is essential to invest in processing infrastructure, strengthen marketing channels, and promote organic production, which represents a promising market segment. The growing involvement of major players and the gradual structuring of the sector are helping to create an environment conducive to the development of almond cultivation in France.

In the future, it would be relevant to further explore the economic aspects related to the profitability of almond processing, particularly by analyzing production costs and margins according to the different derivative products. Exploring available financial aid and support schemes for the installation of local crushers could also strengthen the competitiveness of the French sector.

To summarize: the French almond industry is booming

The French almond industry is experiencing dynamic growth, but local production remains significantly lower than demand. The market, currently dominated by Spanish and Californian imports, represents a major opportunity for producers wishing to invest in this crop. Amandiverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , is supporting this transition by offering plants adapted to market requirements and supporting the development of national production.

The markets for almonds are diverse: agri-food (pastries, confectionery, dietary products), cosmetics (oils and skincare), and processing into vegetable oil or milk. The rise of organic farming and the use of by-products (almond shells and wood) are also opening up new opportunities. To make up for lost time, the sector must structure itself around local processing units and encourage investment in organic production.

With the sharp increase in cultivated areas and initiatives such as the creation of almond crushers in France, the sector is on the verge of reducing its dependence on imports. Buying almond plants from Amandiverse means participating in the growth of sustainable and profitable local production, while benefiting from the expertise of a key player in the market.