Buy the full study
Summary of our market study
The French soybean market is valued at around 1.5 billion euros.
World soybean production fluctuates between 350 and 400 million tonnes. The United States leads production, while Brazil is the leading exporter, largely thanks to Chinese demand.
China's massive increase in imports after the pandemic to rebuild its pig herd and the "La Niña" climatic phenomenon have both contributed to an increase of almost 30% in soybean prices by 2020.
Environmental concerns, such as deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado, exacerbated by soybean cultivation, have influenced consumer behavior and government policies.
Soy consumption trends
The national market is valued at around 1.5 billion euros, with annual soy consumption hovering around 3.3 million tonnes.
French production is steadily increasing, with a preference for non-GMO soy-based products. More than 160,000 hectares of soya are cultivated in France.
Between 85% and 90% of soybeans are used for animal feed in Europe (poultry, pigs and dairy cows). Soy is essential for maintaining current levels of meat production.
The annual growth rate for soy-based food products has been 15% since 2000. Consumption of soy products is replacing traditional meat consumption. 60% of French people have adopted soy-based foods.
Soybean oil is recognized as the second most widely consumed oil in the world, despite its lower yield than palm oil (around 2 hectares per tonne versus 0.26 hectares for palm oil),
Soy is also used in non-food industries such as biofuels, inks and cosmetics.
France has seen its soy imports fall by almost 40% over the past decade. The majority of these imports still come from GMO-producing countries such as the United States and Brazil.
French soybean market players
Soybean growers and seed suppliers
- Semences de France is a key player, supplying high-quality soybean seeds to farmers.
Logistics and transport
- Transport Vezo offers specialized logistics services for the efficient and rapid transport of soybeans from fields to processing facilities, and throughout the value chain.
Feed production and distribution
- Vibrafloor and Setrem process soybeans into components for animal feed, such as soybean meal, which is a basic source of protein in livestock feed.
Soybean oil production
- Huilerie Gid is a major producer of soybean oil.
Development of human food products
- Sojami, The Silos of Touch, Triballat Noyal and Sojasun are at the forefront of the integration of soyfoods into French diets.
Manufacturers of plant-based products
- Prodirox and Latitude Nature represent the segment of companies that use soy to produce non-food items such as biofuels, printing inks and cosmetics.
to understand this market
Detailed content of our market study
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update :
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Introduction
The soya is an Asian plant of the fabaceae family, widely used in the food industry but also used for its medicinal properties. Cultivated for its seeds rich in proteins and oil, soya is intended for the food and feed . The use of soybeans for human consumption is concentrated around the production of tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, nattö and tempeh. Soya is also used for industrial purposes and for the production of biodiesel and bio-fuels. After palm oil, soybean oil is the second most consumed vegetable oil in the world.
The world soybean market represented a production of several hundred million tons with ever-increasing trade ( 751% increase of world soybean production over the past 50 years). According to Greenpeace, between 70% and 90% of the world's soybean production is used to produce soybean oilcake for the animal feedingstuffs the China being the leading consumer of soybeans for its various farms.
The world soybean market is dominated by the giants of the grain trade, leaving little room for new entrants. In order to maintain their margins, soybean market players are relying on the quality upgrading through, in particular, the production of a local non-GMO soybean.
However, the soybean market is faced with international competition This is due to the presence of emerging economies in this segment, notably Brazil, whose exports are increasing every year, Argentina, but also the United States, the world's leading producer
In 2020, the price of soybeans has experienced an increase for an agricultural product. Factors include massive Chinese imports in the aftermath of the first wave of covid-19 in order to rebuild its pig herd, which was largely affected by African Swine Fever in 2018-2019, but also unfavourable weather conditions for the soybean harvest in South America
France is largely dependent on American soybeans In the case of the United States, its domestic production does not meet the scale of its demand. And, while France has banned the production of GMOs for commercial purposes since 2008, imported soybeans are from soy-GMO ...which is used to feed cattle, then consumed by the French. Although local production is increasing on this market, France cannot achieve independence from this raw material. Thus the question of soybean imports remains a subject for discussion controversial
Thanks to its nutritional richness, soy can be consumed as a substitute for meat or animal proteins, which attracts the players in the organic consumption and healthy in the soybean market. The rate of growth of food products based on soya has been around 15% per year since 2000. In addition, 60% of French people have declared having consumed soy-based products in 2017.
The players in this market are of different sizes and natures. Firstly, French or foreign soybean farmers, then soybean oil cake and soybean oil producers (such as Huilerie Gid, but also Avril and Euralis, which are joining forces in 2017). Then there are the companies that create biofuel from soya, such as Total, but also the companies that are trying to integrate soya-derived products into the French diet. (such as Bjorg et compagnie, Triballat Noyal, etc)
List of charts presented in this market study
- Répartition de la production mondiale de soja
- Principaux exportateurs de soja dans le monde
- Principaux pays importateurs de soja
- Evolution de la production de soja dans le monde
- Principales destinations des exportations des fèves de soja français
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Organic crisis: the worst is over for the owner of Bjorg and Alter Eco - 28/03/2024
- Ecotone, European leader in organic products,
- Bjorg, Bonneterre and Alter Eco chocolate brands
- Group sales were stable at 693 million euros, but down 6% in volume.
- Three quarters of Ecotone's business is with supermarket chains, which account for 53% of market share.
- Two plants in France and seven others in Italy, Spain, England and Germany
- 1.600 employees
Olga: The Sojasun brand launches in China - 13/12/2023
- The Olga Group is known for its Sojasun, Sojade and Petit Billy brands.
- The company has signed a franchise agreement with Junlebao, China's number two dairy company.
- Junlebao has sales of 2.6 billion euros.
- Junlebao has an 18.9% market share in China's ultra-fresh products category
- China is the world's largest dairy market.
- The market for plant-based alternatives is booming worldwide.
Olga: Sojasun's plant-based desserts conquer the gigantic Chinese market - 13/12/2023
- Triballat Noyal is known for its Vrai and Sojasun brands
- The group is renamed "Olga".
- The Breton dairy and vegetable group has signed a licensing agreement with Junlebao, China's number two fresh dairy products company.
- The Chinese giant holds almost 20% of the market, with sales of 2.6 billion euros.
- The partnership with Olga will see the launch this summer of a range of plant-based alternatives to yoghurts and dairy desserts under the Sojasun brand
- The products will be manufactured by Junlebao
- The Breton company currently achieves only 20% of its sales outside France, which are mainly in a few European countries.
- The Chinese market is "the world's leading dairy market.
- The global market for plant-based dairy products is estimated at $27.5 billion, and is expected to reach $68 billion by 2029, according to Global Market Insight.
Ecotone invests in Gironde to triple organic coffee production - 24/11/2023
- The Ecotone group has achieved sales of 690 million euros in 2022.
- The burn plant inaugurated by Ecotone and Destination Bio covers more than 9,000 square meters and employs 60 people.
- Investment in the new Destination Bio site amounts to 10 million euros.
- The plant's production capacity is 3,500 tonnes per year
- Destination Bio's market share in the organic coffee sector is 46%.
- Destination Bio's sales total 21 million euros, rising to 50 million euros if sales under other brands are included.
- Organic coffee sales represent 5% of a French market worth over 3 billion euros.
- Organic coffee sales increased by 13% in value in 2023. Sales of fair-trade coffee and tea account for 60% of Destination Bio's sales, with a target of 70% of sales over the next 2 years.
Ecotone inaugurates its European coffee and tea production unit b - 21/10/2023
- On October 19, 2023, the Ecotone group inaugurated its new European production facility for organic coffees and teas, in Cestas, Gironde.
- 10 million euros have been invested in this new production unit
- The first year's production is estimated at around 5.5 million packs of coffee (2,650 t) and 1 million whole-leaf tea bags (100 t).
- The plant is designed to process up to 9,000 t of roasted coffee per year.
- Nearly 50% of coffee volumes are packed in beans.
- For organic teas, 30% of the volume is blended and flavored.
- The plant's production capacity is designed to support the growth of the Destination, Bonneterre, Clipper, Alter Eco and Naturela brands.
Ecotone inaugurates its organic coffee and tea production facility - 21/10/2023
- Écotone has invested 10 million euros in a new production site in Cestas.
- Production capacity at the new site is 3,200 tonnes of coffee a year, with a medium-term perspective of 4,500 tonnes, and in the longer term, up to 6,000 tonnes.
- Production is 100% organic for both coffee and tea, and the plant has a zero landfill waste policy (85% of waste is recycled or composted).
- The site employs sixty people.
- Ecotone's sales in 2022 are expected to total 690 million euros.
- The company employs 1,600 people.
- Currently, 60% of the coffee produced is fair trade
- In addition to coffee, the plant produces 100 tonnes of organic tea.
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
the soybean market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
