The shotgun market - France

The French hunting shotgun market, a segment of the arms and ammunition manufacturing industry, has experienced fluctuations but displayed an overall upward trend. Despite the declining number of hunters, rising average expenditures per hunter and a reduction in the national hunting license fee have bolstered. However, France's trade deficit in this sector is expanding, as evidenced by a drop in its coverage rate from around 6.10% in 2021 to approximately 3.60% in 2022, signaling a diminishing ability to offset imports with exports. 

Hunters typically allocate their budgets toward hunting vehicles, equipment, territory fees, and accommodation. Public opinion on hunting, however, is mixed, with 83% of the French expressing safety concerns and 82% advocating for making Sunday a non-hunting day to ensure safer access to rural areas. The market is characterized by a slight decrease in the number of manufacturing establishments, while the sector's employment saw a robust increase of over 38% during the same period.

Evolving Market Dynamics in the French Hunting Firearms Sector

The French hunting firearms market presents an intricate web influenced both by tradition and emerging trends. The practice of hunting, predominantly rooted in rural France, confronts the challenge of declining participation rates among younger generations. This dwindling number is somewhat counterbalanced by an increasing spend per hunter, which sustains the market's financial dynamics. The procurement of a shotgun, necessary for the decent pursuit of the activity, requires an official license. As such, the shotgun market, comprised mainly of imports despite notable domestic manufacturers like Verney Carron  and Chapuis, is governed by stringent regulations. A surge in examination applications followed the halving of the national hunting license fee to between 150 and 250 euros, infusing new vitality into the sector.

With North and South America dominating the global civilian-held weapons market, France maintains a distinct presence in the European context. The European legislation allows civilian possession of various weapon categories, including Category C hunting weapons, upon official authorization. This regulatory environment slightly contrasts the French situation, where a hunting license is necessitated at the point of sale.

An analysis of the French market, looking into the arms and ammunition manufacturing industry, reveals a notable increase in sales – a rise of between 35% and 40% over six years leading to 2022. Hunters, averaging an annual expenditure of between 2,500 and 2,900 euros, allocate approximately 22% of this budget to equipment, translating to an estimated shotgun market size of over 550 million euros in 2022. Foreign trade data indicates that France is a significant importer, with Italy and the USA as primary provisioners and trade deficit numbers on a rise. However substantial, the exports boast the USA and the UK as prime purchasers among other countries representing a slim fraction of the export volume. The sector struggles with an uneven trade balance as imports heavily outweigh exports.

Hunters, predominantly male (over 95%) and older (over 55%), are distributed across different socioprofessional backgrounds, with notable representation from managerial and blue-collar categories. A preference for hunting vehicles and equipment underscores hunters' financial commitments. Moreover, despite various licensing options, a predominant share opts for the departmental permit, aligning with localized hunting practices. The preferences also extend to specific hunting types, with shooting via rifles and shotguns accounting for over 95% of all hunting activities. The number of hunting outings per year averages around 44.

Key Market Players Shaping the French Hunting Firearms Landscape

In the nuanced and tradition-rich landscape of the French hunting firearms market, several key players emerge, each contributing uniquely to the sector's vibrancy. These companies, with distinctive specializations and storied backgrounds, cater to a diverse array of hunters' needs, from the pursuit of small game with agile shotguns to the challenge of stalking large game with precision rifles.

• Chapuis, a name synonymous with artisanal excellence, has firmly entrenched itself as a distinguished manufacturer of high-end double rifles. Known especially for their express rifles, Chapuis offers hunters the precision and reliability required for taking down formidable large game. Their blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology has earned them a reputation for creating rifles that are not just tools for the hunt but also works of art to be admired.
  
  
• Verney Carron stands as another beacon of quality in the French hunting firearms market. Though information on their current involvement in the market is scarce within the provided text, such companies are often recognized for their expertise and dedication to manufacturing firearms that meet the nuanced demands of hunters.
  
  
• Italian imports play a significant role in the French market, with brands like Renato Baldi and Baikal supplying a range of shotguns to the French consumer.
  
  
• Renato Baldi, for instance, is celebrated for its over-and-under shotguns, bringing Italian flair and precision to French hunters. These firearms are favored by aficionados who appreciate their balance and intuitive sighting capabilities for bird shooting.
  
  
• Baikal, although not French but mentioned for its significant market presence in France, caters to the more budget-conscious segment of the market. They offer a portfolio of reliable and affordable firearms, such as tilting single-barrel shotguns, which are popular among beginners for their simplicity and low cost.
  
  
• Further broadening the spectrum of offerings, American influence can be seen through brands like Winchester and Mossberg, which supply the French market with various shotgun models for different hunting modalities. Winchester, with its historic reputation, provides cartridges favored by those hunting waterfowl, while Mossberg lever-action rifles bring a taste of the American West to the French countryside, suitable for certain types of driven hunting.
  
  
• On the home front, L'Armurerie française and Chassepechepassion contribute as key distributors, ensuring that even the most specialized hunting needs can be met. From affordable folding rifles to high-end bolt-action precision pieces, these distributors act as vital conduits connecting hunters with the optimal tools for their pursuits. 

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 04/12/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Number of civilian weapons per 100 people
• Changes in the size of the arms and ammunition manufacturing market
• Balance of trade in hunting rifles and shotguns
• Shotgun imports
• Shotgun exports
• Hunters by age
• Hunters by gender
• Hunters by socio-professional category
• Hunters by place of residence
• Number of weapons owned and used, by age
• Average hunter expenditure by item
• The different types of hunting
• Number of shootings
• "Would you say that hunting can pose safety problems for walkers?"
• "Would you be in favor of Sunday becoming a non-hunted day?"
• "Would you support a ban on breeding game for release for hunting?"
• Growth in the number of arms and munitions manufacturing establishments
• Workforce trends in the arms and munitions manufacturing sector