Yemisi Izuora
Sub-Saharan Africa imported €2.2 billion ($2.5 billion) worth of French agricultural products in 2025, surpassing North Africa’s €1.9 billion for only the second time since 2009.
Algeria’s purchases of French soft wheat fell to zero in 2025, compared with an average of about 2 million tonnes annually between 2020 and 2024.
Côte d’Ivoire remained the leading sub-Saharan market, increasing purchases of French agricultural and agri-food products by 13 per cent to €509 million.
Sub-Saharan Africa overtook North Africa as the leading African destination for French agricultural exports in 2025, reflecting shifting trade dynamics across the continent and a sharp decline in French sales to Algeria.
France directs a significant share of its agricultural and agri-food exports outside the European Union, and African markets remain among the sector’s most important customers.
According to a report published by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and seafood agency FranceAgriMer, North Africa imported €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) worth of French agricultural products in 2025, down 13 per cent from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, spending by countries in sub-Saharan Africa increased 2 per cent to €2.2 billion.
The shift marked only the second time since 2009 that sub-Saharan Africa has surpassed North Africa as the continent’s largest destination for French agricultural exports. The first occurrence took place in 2023.
As a result, sub-Saharan Africa rose to become the fourth-largest export market worldwide for French agriculture, up from sixth place in 2024. Only North America, North Asia, and East Asia & Oceania ranked ahead of the region.
Algeria largely drove North Africa’s weaker performance. French exporters sold no soft wheat to Algeria in 2025, compared with average annual shipments of roughly 2 million tonnes between 2020 and 2024. The decline occurred against a backdrop of political tensions between the two countries and Algeria’s growing preference for Black Sea suppliers, particularly Russia. The downturn in grain trade also affected France’s dairy sector.
“While this destination absorbed more than 15% of French skimmed milk powder volumes exported to third countries between 2020 and 2024, shipments to the country were almost non-existent in 2025. They still represented nearly €60 million in 2024,” the report stated.
Overall, Algeria imported €215 million worth of French agricultural products in 2025, down 12 per cent from the previous year. Morocco followed a different trajectory. French agricultural exports to Morocco continued to grow in 2025 as drought conditions increased demand for imported agricultural commodities.
French exporters increased wheat sales to Morocco by approximately 27 per cent and tripled the value of barley shipments.
Morocco imported €1.2 billion worth of French agricultural products during the year, up 8 per cent from 2024. The performance reinforced the kingdom’s position as France’s leading agricultural partner in North Africa.
As in previous years, Côte d’Ivoire remained the largest destination for French exports of agricultural products, agri-food goods, timber, and biodiesel in sub-Saharan Africa.
The West African nation increased purchases by 13 per cent to €509 million, accounting for approximately 24 per of the region’s total import bill. More specifically, Côte d’Ivoire imported more than 540,000 tonnes of French cereals worth €153 million in 2025, compared with 382,000 tonnes valued at €140 million in 2024.
“France retained its position as Côte d’Ivoire’s leading supplier of milk and dairy products in 2025, with a 26.3 per cent market share, compared with 34.7 per cent in 2024. However, New Zealand is catching up, increasing its market share from 13.8 per cent in 2024 to 25.5 per cent in 2025,” the report stated.
Senegal ranked second among sub-Saharan destinations, allocating €264 million to purchases of French agricultural products in 2025.
Meanwhile, Southern African countries imported €642 million worth of French agricultural products, according to FranceAgriMer data. South Africa, Mauritius, and Madagascar represented the region’s principal markets..