The fruit and vegetable trade market - France

Fruit and vegetable traders, also known as wholesalers, act as intermediaries between producers (French or foreign) and distribution players such as retailers, catering companies and sometimes the processing industry. The market players are therefore producers, cooperatives, shippers, central purchasing agencies, wholesale markets, supermarkets, greengrocers and restaurant owners. In France, the activity of traders is in a great dynamic . The health crisis has not impacted the sector's turnover, which has been in a growth phase since 2014 : over the period 2014 - 2019, turnover recorded an  average annual growth rate of 5.22%. The French market benefits from the popularity of fruit and vegetables among households, but also from the demand for traceability and clarity as to the origin of products. Moreover, in the trend of "eating better" supported by the numerous awareness campaigns financed by the State, the traders have a card to play. Indeed, the highlighting of the activity can enable them to develop a differentiation of the offer through quality and therefore a range of activities that is growing and expanding. Other key factors influencing the market include the trend towards consumption of organically grown products with higher value added Finally, the market is characterized by a great stability in its structure with a stable number of players, an efficient territorial network and a weak competitive landscape. The good health of the sector is also reflected in the increase in the number of employees.