Sub-Saharan Africa became France’s largest African agricultural export market in 2025, driven by rising demand and declining Algerian imports.
Sub-Saharan Africa emerged as the largest African market for French agricultural exports in 2025, surpassing North Africa for only the second time since 2009. The shift highlights changing trade patterns across the continent, driven by evolving demand, geopolitical developments, and variations in agricultural production. According to a report published on June 3 by France’s Ministry of Agriculture and FranceAgriMer, exports of French agricultural products to countries south of the Sahara reached €2.2 billion in 2025, marking a 2% increase compared with the previous year. In contrast, North African imports declined sharply by 13% to €1.9 billion.
The growth in Sub-Saharan Africa elevated the region to the fourth-largest global destination for French agricultural exports, climbing from sixth position in 2024. The only regions purchasing greater volumes of French agricultural goods were North America, North Asia, and East Asia & Oceania. This development reflects the growing importance of Sub-Saharan African economies in France’s international agricultural trade strategy.
A major reason behind North Africa’s declining imports was the significant reduction in Algeria’s purchases of French agricultural commodities. French exporters failed to ship any soft wheat to Algeria in 2025, a dramatic change compared with the average annual exports of approximately two million tons recorded between 2020 and 2024. The collapse in wheat trade was influenced by persistent diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria, alongside Algeria’s increasing reliance on alternative grain suppliers from the Black Sea region, especially Russia.
The reduction in Algerian demand also negatively impacted France’s dairy export industry. Between 2020 and 2024, Algeria accounted for more than 15% of French skimmed milk powder exports destined for markets outside the European Union. However, exports of this product to Algeria almost disappeared in 2025 after generating close to €60 million in revenue during 2024. Overall, Algeria imported French agricultural goods worth €215 million in 2025, representing a 12% decline compared with the previous year.
While Algeria reduced its purchases, Morocco strengthened its trade relationship with France and became an increasingly important customer for French agricultural products. Severe drought conditions in Morocco increased the country’s dependence on imported cereals, leading to stronger demand for French grain supplies. French wheat exports to Morocco increased by approximately 27% in 2025, while the value of barley exports nearly tripled. As a result, Morocco’s total imports of French agricultural products reached €1.2 billion, an increase of 8% from 2024, further solidifying its status as France’s leading agricultural partner in North Africa.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Côte d’Ivoire maintained its position as the most significant market for French agricultural, food-processing, wood, and biodiesel products. The country increased its imports by 13% to €509 million in 2025, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all French agricultural exports to the region. French cereal shipments to Côte d’Ivoire exceeded 540,000 tons, valued at €153 million, compared with 382,000 tons worth €140 million in the previous year.
France continued to be Côte d’Ivoire’s largest supplier of milk and dairy products, holding a 26.3% market share in 2025. However, competition intensified as New Zealand significantly expanded its presence in the Ivorian dairy market, increasing its share from 13.8% in 2024 to 25.5% in 2025, narrowing the gap with French suppliers.
Senegal remained the second-largest buyer of French agricultural products in Sub-Saharan Africa, importing goods worth €264 million during the year. Meanwhile, Southern African markets collectively imported €642 million worth of French agricultural products, with South Africa, Mauritius, and Madagascar standing out as the key destinations. The overall trend demonstrates a gradual shift in France’s agricultural export focus toward rapidly expanding Sub-Saharan markets, while traditional North African trade relationships continue to be reshaped by political, economic, and climatic factors.
