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French agriculture in Europe
France is the leading agricultural producer in Europe: it produces 18% of the European Union's production, in value. The other big agricultural countries of Europe are Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
Key points of the sheet
- France is the EU country with the largest area of farmland. Half of its territory is used for agriculture.
- The French farming sector has been organised for a long time. France has 724 producer organisations, the largest number in the EU.
- French agriculture is very diverse. This is thanks to the variety of landscapes, climates and soils.
- The most important agricultural products, in value, are wine, cereals, milk and meat.
- France has the largest cattle herd in Europe. It harvests 24% of European cereals, that is 65 million tonnes of wheat, barley and maize in 2023.
- France is Europe's leading producer of beef, cereals and eggs. It is the world's leading producer of fibre flax.
- France is the world's leading exporter of wines and spirits (in value), of agricultural seeds and of potatoes. It is the world's 2nd wine producer.
- France has 1,200 varieties of cheese and the greatest diversity of cattle breeds in the world. It is Europe's leading oyster producer.
Words to know
- producer organisations (organisations de producteurs)
- Many farmers group together in them to pool their resources. France has 724 of them.
- farmland (terres agricoles)
- France is the EU country with the largest area of farmland.
- cereals (céréales)
- They are an important agricultural product in France: 65 million tonnes of wheat, barley and maize in 2023.
- cattle herd (cheptel bovin)
- France has the largest cattle herd in Europe.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What share of the EU's agricultural production does France produce, in value?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle part de la production agricole de l'UE la France produit-elle, en valeur ?
France produces 18% of the European Union's production, in value.
What share of French territory is used for agriculture?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle part du territoire français est consacrée à l'agriculture ?
Half of French territory is used for agriculture.
How many varieties of cheese does France have?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien de variétés de fromages la France compte-t-elle ?
France has 1,200 varieties of cheese.
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Source
Sheet “L’agriculture française en Europe” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.